Risk Factors of Perforated Appendix in Patients with Acute Appendicitis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54112/bcsrj.v6i5.2302Keywords:
Perforated Appendix, Acute Appendicitis, Anaemia, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Obesity, Risk FactorsAbstract
Perforated appendicitis is a serious complication of acute appendicitis that is associated with increased morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and higher healthcare costs. Identification of patient-related risk factors may facilitate early diagnosis and timely intervention, thereby reducing the risk of perforation and its associated complications. Objective: To determine the risk factors for perforated appendix in patients with acute appendicitis presenting at Lady Reading Hospital-MTI, Peshawar. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Surgery, Lady Reading Hospital-MTI from 06-August-2024 to 06-February-2025. A total of 127 patients aged 18–60 years of either gender diagnosed with perforated appendicitis were enrolled through consecutive non-probability sampling. Patients with appendicular lump, malignancy, and those who were pregnant or lactating were excluded. All participants were evaluated for potential risk factors of perforated appendicitis, including anemia, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for categorical variables. Stratification was performed using the chi-square test, and a p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the patients was 45.28 ± 12.44 years, while the mean body mass index was 26.22 ± 3.23 kg/m². There were 69 (54.3%) male and 58 (45.7%) female participants. Anemia was identified in 33 (26.0%) patients, hypertension in 26 (20.5%), obesity in 24 (18.9%), and diabetes mellitus in 12 (9.4%). Among the evaluated factors, anemia was the most frequently observed risk factor, followed by hypertension, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: Anemia, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes mellitus were common risk factors among patients presenting with perforated appendicitis. Recognition and management of these comorbid conditions may aid in the early identification of high-risk patients and potentially reduce the incidence of appendiceal perforation.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Muska Miraj, Abdul Wahab, Zeeshan Alam, Hafiza Palwash Riaz
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