Acute appendicitis--not just for the young.

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.