Seasonality in Presentation of Acute Appendicitis

Abstract

Background:. To assess the trends in incidence of appendicitis and pattern of variation with age, sex, and seasons of the year.

Methods: In this cross-sectional  prospective study patients who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis were included. The demographic features, length of hospital stay, seasonal variation and post-operative outcome were assessed . The diagnosis of acute appendicitis was  established by history, examination and investigations in term of leukocyte count, urinalysis and ultrasound exam in many of these cases. In North Punjab region, the year is divided into two well-marked seasons with short transitional periods between the long hot rainless summer (May to October) and comparatively short cool winter (December to February).SPSS version 16 was used for all the statistical assessments and analysis

Results: Out of 972 patients, 53% patients were males. Age range was from 5-70 years. All the patients treated surgically by open and laparoscopic means. Forty patients were found to have perforated appendix, 12 patients presented with abdominal mass and 3 patients presented with appendicular abscess. A significant seasonal effect was observed, with the rate of acute appendicitis being higher in the summer months.

Conclusion: A seasonal pattern of appendicitis with a mostly predominant peak is seen during the summer months could be due to increased gastrointestinal infections in summer. The males have higher incidence of acute appendicitis with 11-20 years of age being most common age group