Prevalence of complicated appendicitis and associated factors in pediatric surgery at Vicente Corral Moscoso and José Carrasco Arteaga Hospitals Original Research

Abstract

Introduction: Acute appendicitis is the most frequent surgical emergency in children, and it constitutes a diagnostic challenge. Studies indicate that the determining factor for complications from appendicitis are factors attributable to the patient, such as waiting before seeking hospital care.

Methods: A quantitative, analytical cross-sectional study was carried out. The universe consisted of all patients admitted with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis at Vicente Corral Moscoso and José Carrasco Arteaga Hospitals, April 2018 to May 2019. The association between variables was determined by the Chi-square test and the intensity of association by prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals. The P value <0.05 was considered significant.

Results: A total of 267 patients admitted with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis were investigated, and the prevalence of complicated appendicitis was 38.2%. It was observed that the associated factors were initial misdiagnosis with a prevalence ratio (PR) of 1.57 (95%CI: 1.16 - 2.14; P = 0.01) and elapsed time between the onset of symptoms to arrival at the hospital of greater than 12 hours (PR 2.19; CI: 1.34 - 3.59 ; P<0.001). A protective factor was having had a previous medical evaluation (PR 1.48 95%CI: 1.07–2.04; P = 0.01) and medium to high socioeconomic condition (PR 0.71; 95%CI: 0.53 - 0.96; P = 0.03).

Conclusions: The prevalence of complicated appendicitis was high and is related to certain factors.