Appendicitis among Patients Admitted to the Department of Surgery of a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of appendicitis is widespread among both adult and pediatric populations. Despite being so common, its diagnosis remains difficult. Initially, acute appendicitis is managed conservatively. To reduce morbidity and mortality, surgery must be performed promptly. The main objective of the study is to find out the prevalence of appendicitis among patients admitted to the department of surgery of a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among patients admitted to the Department of Surgery of a tertiary care centre from 1 July 2021 to 1 July 2022. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 202/2079/80). Convenience sampling was done. The patient admitted to the Department of Surgery during the study period was included. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Out of 2452 patients, the prevalence of appendicitis was 321 (13.09%) (11.75-14.43, 95% Confidence Interval). The mean age of the patients with appendicitis was 31.57±14.14 years and among them, males were 176 (54.83%). Conclusions: The prevalence of appendicitis among patients admitted to the department of surgery of a tertiary care centre was lower compared to other studies conducted in similar settings.