Study of the effect of age, gender and seasonal variation on appendicitis in Azizyah-Iraq

Appendicitis is the most common acute surgical condition of the abdomen. The rate of acute appendicitis varies among countries. Declining rates of acute appendicitis have been reported in the United States and Europe. However, the frequency appears to be increasing in the developing countries. Age, gender and seasonal variations of acute appendicitis have been observed in many studies, but the reasons for these variations are not clear. Although acute appendicitis is a common surgical condition, little is known about its epidemiology in Iraq. Statistical analysis was done for 400 patients diagnosed as cases of appendicitis during a two year period from January 2013 to December 2014, treated in Azizyah hospital. Data were analyzed for age, sex, and season (month of admission). A total of 400 patients were diagnosed as cases of appendicitis. Appendicitis was more common in males (n=224, 56%) than females (n=176, 44%) with male to female ratio of 1.27:1, Highest rates of appendicitis was found in the age group of 10 to 19 years (n=158, 39.5%) and the lowest was 50 and more (n=11, 2.75%). Acute appendicitis high incident in November and December and lowest in June and July but it was high in March and April in teenage group. In the current study clear differences in the frequencies of appendicitis were noted the appendicitis has clear seasonality with highest rates in winter and spring season. Appendicitis rates were found to be higher in male gender than female. The prevalence peaks in teen age group.