Changes in the incidence of acute appendicitis in Glasgow Asian and white children between 1971 and 1985

• Published in: Journal of epidemiology and community health (1979) Vol. 42; no. 3; pp. 290 - 293
• Main Authors: Matheson, L M, Henderson, J B, Hole, D, Dunnigan, M G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01-09-1988; British Medical Association; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adolescents; Adult; Age groups; Appendicitis; Appendicitis - epidemiology; Appendicitis - ethnology; Asia - ethnology; Asians; Censuses; Child; Child health services; Child, Preschool; Children; Hospital separations; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Population estimates; Population size; Scotland; Asia; Scotland
• ISSN: 0143-005X; 1470-2738
• DOI: 10.1136/jech.42.3.290

Between 1971 and 1985 there was a significant rise in the annual hospital discharge rate for acute appendicitis in Glasgow Asian boys aged 10-19.9 years. A smaller and statistically insignificant rise occurred in Asian girls of 10-19.9 years; discharge rates for younger Asian boys and girls did not change significantly. In keeping with national trends, discharge rates for acute appendicitis in all Glasgow children fell significantly between 1971-85. The divergent trend in older Asian children may reflect dietary adaptation which is most marked in older Asian boys.