Appendicitis in South Auckland, New Zealand.
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TL;DR
The findings suggest that appendicitis is a more aggressive disease process in Maori and Pacific people compared to New Zealand Europeans, and warrants further research in a larger prospective study.
Abstract
AIM: 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.