title: Epidemiological and demographic features of appendicitis and influences of several environmental factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study, we present the demographic features of appendicitis and investigate the influence of several factors (season, temperature, humidity, altitude) on the development of the condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1871 patients operated between 2004 and 2007 were included and divided into two subgroups as perforated and non-perforated appendicitis. The demographic features and environmental factors were investigated. We compared the effects of environmental conditions with those observed in other countries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Appendicitis was most frequent among males between 10 to 19 years of age. Perforated appendicitis was mostly seen between 0-9 years and after 50 years of age. The frequency of appendicitis was the highest during winter, but the rate of perforation was at its minimum during this season. During the coldest three months of the year, non-perforated appendicitis was mostly seen at temperatures of -8.8 degrees C; however, perforated appendicitis was mostly seen at -11.2 degrees C (p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings show that the frequency of appendicitis and perforation rate are influenced by sex and age. Environmental factors like season, temperature and altitude may also influence the frequency of appendicitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Kafkas University Faculty of Medicine, Kars, Turkey. barlas.sulu36@gmail.com
authors.forename: Barlas
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sulu
authors.forename: Yusuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Günerhan
authors.forename: Yilmaz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Palanci
authors.forename: Banu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Işler
authors.forename: Kasim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cağlayan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000531:Altitude; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D013696:Temperature; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult