Barker D J, Osmond C, Golding J, Wadsworth M E
MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital.
Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1988 Apr 2;296(6627):956-8. doi: 10.1136/bmj.296.6627.956.
The occurrence of appendicectomy in three national samples of British children was analysed in relation to household amenities, crowding in the home, and social class. The risk of having the operation depended on the amenities present in the home, in particular whether or not there was a bathroom. This risk was independent of social class. The findings support a relation between acute appendicitis and Western hygiene, which would explain the geographical distribution of the disease and its changing incidence over time. In the developing world, where children grow up in conditions of poor hygiene, there may be outbreaks of appendicitis when housing improves.
对三个英国儿童全国样本中阑尾切除术的发生率进行了分析，分析内容涉及家庭设施、家庭拥挤程度和社会阶层。进行该手术的风险取决于家中现有的设施，特别是是否有浴室。这种风险与社会阶层无关。这些发现支持了急性阑尾炎与西方卫生条件之间的关联，这可以解释该疾病的地理分布及其随时间变化的发病率。在发展中国家，儿童在卫生条件差的环境中长大，当住房条件改善时，可能会出现阑尾炎的爆发。
