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European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery

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07-05-2022 | Appendicitis | Original Article

Is acute appendicitis more severe in foreign workers of northern Israel? A retrospective cohort study

Authors: Chovav Handler, Noam Weiner, Eyal Meir, Ossama Abu-Hatoum, Doron Kopelman, Uri Kaplan

Published in: European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery | Issue 5/2023

Abstract

Background

Acute appendicitis (AA) is one of the most common surgical emergencies worldwide. It’s classified into simple or complicated disease. Due to the high prevalence of the disease, AA has been studied as a marker to assess the quality of care afforded to minority groups. The purpose of this study was to compare AA outcomes in foreign workers (FW) to the general population in northern Israel.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study. We identified all patients aged 18–50 who were admitted to our institution between January 1st, 2013 and October 31st, 2018, with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The study group included all FW and the control group included citizens of Israel. Study patients were matched based on age, sex, and co-morbidities. We compared time to presentation, admission parameters and disease outcomes. Our study outcomes were disease severity and length of hospital stay.

Results

We identified 20 FW and 97 matched local patients. FW presented with significantly higher heart rate, temperature, and white blood cell count (WBC). Duration of symptoms was comparable between the two groups. The rates of complicated disease were significantly higher among FW (45 vs 17.5%, p < 0.0001). Length of hospitalization was significantly longer in the FW group (4.8 vs. 3.9 days, p = 0.01). The odds ratio of FWs for having a complicated disease was OR = 3.85 [95% CI: 1.38, 10.72], p = 0.01. Multivariate analysis identified FW and duration of symptoms as significantly contributing to a complicated disease outcome.

Conclusions

Although duration of symptoms was comparable to the local population, FW in northern Israel are at increased risk for a complicated disease which resulted in longer hospital stay. Further studies may enlighten the reason for this disparity.

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Title: Is acute appendicitis more severe in foreign workers of northern Israel? A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chovav Handler
Noam Weiner
Eyal Meir
Ossama Abu-Hatoum
Doron Kopelman
Uri Kaplan
Publication date: 07-05-2022
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Appendicitis
Appendicitis
Published in: European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery / Issue 5/2023
Print ISSN: 1863-9933
Electronic ISSN: 1863-9941
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-022-01980-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Is acute appendicitis more severe in foreign workers of northern Israel? A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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