Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Comparative Study
. 2013 Mar;257(3):520-6.
doi: 10.1097/SLA.0b013e31826d41c6.

Incidence of inguinal hernia repairs in Olmsted County, MN: a population-based study

Benjamin Zendejas  1 , Tatiana Ramirez, Trahern Jones, Admire Kuchena, Shahzad M Ali, Roberto Hernandez-Irizarry, Christine M Lohse, David R Farley
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Incidence of inguinal hernia repairs in Olmsted County, MN: a population-based study

Benjamin Zendejas et al. Ann Surg. 2013 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: To determine age- and sex-specific incidence rates of inguinal hernia repairs (IHR) in a well-defined US population and examine trends over time.

Background data: IHR represent a substantial burden to the US healthcare system. An up-to-date appraisal will identify future healthcare needs.

Methods: A retrospective review of all IHR performed on adult residents of Olmsted County, MN, from 1989 to 2008 was performed. Cases were ascertained through the Rochester Epidemiology Project, a record linkage system with more than 97% population coverage. Incidence rates were calculated by using incident cases as the numerator and population counts from the census as the denominator. Trends over time were evaluated using Poisson regression.

Results: During the study period, a total of 4026 IHR were performed on 3599 unique adults. Incidence rates per 100,000 person-years were greater for men: 368 versus 44 for women, and increased with age: from 194 to 648 in men, and from 28 to 108 in women between 30 and 70 years of age. Initial, unilateral IHR comprised 74% of all IHR types. The lifelong cumulative incidence of an initial, unilateral or a bilateral IHR in adulthood was 42.5% in men and 5.8% in women. Over time (from 1989 to 2008), the incidence of initial, unilateral IHR in men decreased from 474 to 373 (relative reduction, RR = 21%). Bilateral IHR increased from 42 to 71 (relative increase = 70%), contralateral metachronous IHR decreased from 29 to 11 (RR = 62%), and recurrent IHR decreased from 66 to 26 (RR = 61%); for all changes P < 0.001.

Conclusions: IHR are common, their incidence varies greatly by age and sex and has decreased substantially over time in Olmsted County, MN.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Clinical types of inguinal hernia repairs. *C&R= contralateral and recurrent
Figure 2
Figure 2
Age- and sex-specific incidence of inguinal hernia repairs per 100,000 person-years for all types of inguinal hernia repairs.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Age- and sex-specific incidence of inguinal hernia repairs per 100,000 person-years by side of repair for subjects experiencing an initial, unilateral inguinal hernia repairs.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Age-specific incidence of inguinal hernia repairs per 100,000 person-years by type of hernia in women (A), and men (B) who experienced an initial, unilateral inguinal hernia repairs.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Age-adjusted incidence time trends of inguinal hernia repairs in men per 100,000 person-years, 1989-2008.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Age-adjusted incidence time trends of bilateral, contralateral and recurrent inguinal hernia repairs in men per 100,000 person-years, 1989-2008.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Ruhl CE, Everhart JE. Risk factors for inguinal hernia among adults in the US population. Am J Epidemiol. 2007;165:1154–1161. - PubMed
    1. Rutkow IM. Demographic and socioeconomic aspects of hernia repair in the United States in 2003. Surg Clin North Am. 2003;83:1045–1051. v–vi. - PubMed
    1. Abramson JH, Gofin J, Hopp C, et al. The epidemiology of inguinal hernia. A survey in western Jerusalem. J Epidemiol Community Health. 1978;32:59–67. - PMC - PubMed
    1. World Bank [August 20, 2011];World Development Indicators 2010. Available at: http://data.worldbank.org/data-catalog/world-development-indicators/wdi-....
    1. Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Ogden CL, et al. Prevalence and trends in obesity among US adults, 1999-2008. JAMA. 303:235–241. - PubMed

Publication types