EPIDEMIOLOGY OF APPENDICITIS

Epidemiological data reveal a decline in the incidence of appendicitis and appendectomy in the industrialized countries. A peak is found in adolescents aged 10-19 years; however, the highest rates of perforatio n are reported for the extremely young and old age groups. The elevate d rate of appendectomies without histological evidence of acute inflam mation, especially in young women, and the high perforation ratio in s mall children and elderly patients reflect poor diagnostic accuracy. A nalysis of the epidemiological data does not allow for an unequivocal conclusion regarding the etiopathogenesis of acute appendicitis.