BACKGROUND: The incidence of appendicitis is highest in young patients, but the number of elderly patients with appendicitis appears to be increasing. The authors evaluated a statewide experience to assess the effect of age on resource utilization and outcomes for this common disease. METHODS: All discharges from Kentucky hospitals for appendicitis were identified. Patients from rehabilitation hospitals, those with inflammatory bowel disease, and those undergoing incidental appendectomy were excluded. RESULTS: Young (aged ≤ 29 years) and middle-aged (aged 30-64 years) patients each constituted 45% of all patients with appendicitis. Length of stay, hospital charges, and frequency of complicated appendicitis all increased with age. Although elderly patients (aged ≥ 80 years) underwent laparoscopic appendectomy as frequently (60%) as younger patients, they were more likely to undergo complicated open procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Older patients represent a substantial population of patients with appendicitis, with more complicated operative procedures, increased lengths of stay, and increased resource utilization.
BACKGROUND: The incidence of appendicitis is highest in young patients, but the number of elderly patients with appendicitis appears to be increasing. The authors evaluated a statewide experience to assess the effect of age on resource utilization and outcomes for this common disease. METHODS: All discharges from Kentucky hospitals for appendicitis were identified. Patients from rehabilitation hospitals, those with inflammatory bowel disease, and those undergoing incidental appendectomy were excluded. RESULTS: Young (aged ≤ 29 years) and middle-aged (aged 30-64 years) patients each constituted 45% of all patients with appendicitis. Length of stay, hospital charges, and frequency of complicated appendicitis all increased with age. Although elderly patients (aged ≥ 80 years) underwent laparoscopic appendectomy as frequently (60%) as younger patients, they were more likely to undergo complicated open procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Older patients represent a substantial population of patients with appendicitis, with more complicated operative procedures, increased lengths of stay, and increased resource utilization.
Authors: Dominik Zinsser; Michael Maurer; Phuong-Linh Do; Jakob Weiß; Mike Notohamiprodjo; Fabian Bamberg; Ahmed E Othman Journal: BMC Med Imaging Date: 2019-01-11 Impact factor: 1.930