Epidemiology of appendectomy and appendicitis in the Valencian community (Spain), 1998-2007

Abstract

Background/aims: Our purpose was to study the incidence of appendectomy and appendicitis in the Valencian community (Spain) during a period of 10 years (1998-2007).

Methods: Data on discharge diagnoses of appendectomy and appendicitis were downloaded from all public hospitals in the Valencian community.

Results: We identified 44,683 cases of appendectomies and 42,742 cases of appendicitis (95.7%) during the study period. The age-standardized incidence rates among men ranked between 132.1 cases per 100,000 population in 2003 and 117.46 cases per 100,000 population in 2000 without a clear trend through the study period. The appendiceal perforation rate was 12.1% and the negative appendectomy rate 4.3%. The global mortality was 0.38%.

Conclusions: The incidence of appendectomy in our community presents a slight descending trend. This decline is more intense in females. The appendix perforation rate is lower than in other studies. The death rate is similar to other studies; however, it is very low in patients of younger age.