Open AccessTrends in Appendicitis Among Pregnant Women, the Risk for Cardiac Arrest, and Maternal–Fetal Mortality
Author(s) -
Dongarwar Deepa,
Taylor Jalyce,
Ajewole Veronica,
Anene Nmelichukwu,
Omoyele Oladapo,
Ogba China,
Oluwatoba Abiodun,
Giger Dominique,
Thuy Au,
Argueta Erika,
Naik Eknath,
Salemi Jason L.,
Spooner Kiara,
Olaleye Omonike,
Salihu Hamisu M.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
world journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.115
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1432-2323
pISSN - 0364-2313
DOI - 10.1007/s00268-020-05717-6
Subject(s) - medicine , appendicitis , pregnancy , obstetrics , cardiac surgery , retrospective cohort study , general surgery , surgery , genetics , biology
Background Appendicitis is the most common extra‐uterine surgical emergency requiring immediate intervention during pregnancy. However, risks for mortality and morbidity among pregnant women with appendicitis remain poorly understood. This study was conducted to determine the temporal trends of appendicitis in pregnant women, and to calculate the risk of maternal–fetal mortality and near‐miss marker (i.e., cardiac arrest) among pregnant women in general, and by race/ethnicity. Methods We conducted this retrospective study using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2015. Joinpoint regression was used to estimate and describe temporal changes in the rates of all and acute appendicitis during the 14‐year study period. We also estimated the risk of cardiac arrest, maternal, and fetal mortality among mothers of various racial/ethnic groups with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Within each group, patients without acute appendicitis were the referent category. Results and conclusions Out of the 58 million pregnancy hospitalizations during the study period, 63,145 cases (10.74 per 10,000 hospitalizations) were for acute appendicitis. There was a 5% decline (95% CI: − 5.1, − 5.0) in the rate of appendicitis hospitalizations over the period of the study. After adjusting for covariates, pregnant mothers with acute appendicitis had increased likelihood when compared to those without acute appendicitis to suffer fetal loss (OR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.85–2.28) and nearly fivefold increase for inpatient maternal death. In conclusion, appendicitis during pregnancy remains an important cause of in‐hospital maternal–fetal mortality overall and regardless of race/ethnicity.