# Association Between Patient Age and Severity in Acute Appendicitis

## TL;DR

This study finds that older patients with acute appendicitis tend to have more severe cases, suggesting early treatment is especially important for them.

## Contribution

The study identifies a correlation between patient age and the severity of acute appendicitis, emphasizing the need for timely intervention in older patients.

## Key findings

- Older patients are more likely to present with advanced stages of acute appendicitis.
- Early diagnosis and surgery can reduce complications in older patients with acute appendicitis.

## Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study is to analyze and describe the relationship between patient age and the severity of acute appendicitis across its different stages, with the aim of stratifying the risk of post-surgical complications.

Methods

This retrospective, descriptive, observational study was conducted at a single center. A total of 106 patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy over a period of two years. The variables analyzed included sex, age, Robbins stages, the presence of comorbidities, length of hospital stay, drainage use, and the presence of complications during hospitalization.

Results

A total of 106 patients underwent surgery, of which 49 (46.2%) were women and 57 (53.7%) were men. The mean age was 40 years, with a range from 13 to 80 years. The mean length of hospital stay was one day, ranging from zero to nine days. According to Robbins stages, 17.9% of patients (19) had stage IV acute appendicitis, 19.8% (21) had stage III, 57.6% (61) had stage II, and 4.7% (five) had stage I. Among the 106 patients, 37.7% (40) required drain placement during surgery, while 62.3% (66) did not. There was one complication (0.9%), a death due to septic shock secondary to generalized peritonitis. The comorbidities observed in the population included hypertension in 14 patients (13.2%), diabetes in 15 (14.2%), hypothyroidism in 12 (11.3%), and heart failure in five (4.7%).

Conclusions

A potential relationship between patient age and the severity of acute appendicitis was observed. Older patients tend to present with more advanced stages of the disease. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are particularly beneficial for older patients, reducing the risk of complications.