EPIDEMIOLOGICAL TRENDS IN ACUTE APPENDICITIS BASED ON SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS – A HOSPITAL BASED STUDY IN JODHPUR

Many studies by different researchers have concluded that the less fortunate are more prone for diseases, same is applicable for acute appendicitis. This study was conducted in Jodhpur to assess the epidemiological trends in acute appendicitis relating to the socioeconomic status. 50 confirmed appendicitis patients were selected and grouped according to age, sex, area of residence and monthly family income. Monthly per capita income of family was calculated and subjects were segregated into income groups employing B.G Prasad’s classification. Results obtained revealed male predominance and 11-20 years age group being the most affected. 84% of our subjects were of a low income group and out of these 91% were from a rural background. A curious observation was that all the females in our study were from a low income group.