Appendicitis in South Auckland, New Zealand.
OBJECTIVE
To describe any variation in the management and outcome of appendicitis between New Zealand's major ethnic groups: New Zealand European, Maori, and Pacific (Island) people.


METHODS
A retrospective study of 180 consecutive patients undergoing appendicectomy for appendicitis at Middlemore Hospital, South Auckland from 1 January 1997 to 31 April 1998 was undertaken.


RESULTS
Appendicitis does not vary in incidence across the major ethnic groups of South Auckland. Maori and Pacific people had a trend towards a greater proportion of perforated appendicitis, which was not related to delayed presentation to hospital.


CONCLUSIONS
Appendicitis is common in all ethnic groups and does not differ in incidence across ethnic groups in South Auckland. Our findings suggest that appendicitis is a more aggressive disease process in Maori and Pacific people compared to New Zealand Europeans. This warrants further research in a larger prospective study.
Department of Surgery, South Auckland Clinical School, Middlemore Hospital, Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand.
Maryam
M
Mahmoud
Andrew
A
Hill
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data