Clinical and socioeconomic factors associated with negative pediatric appendicitis

Background: Misdiagnosing appendicitis may lead to unnecessary surgery. The study evaluates the risk factors for negative appendectomies, as well as the clinical and socioeconomic consequences of negative appendectomy across three states.

Materials and methods: Data were obtained from the California, New York, and Florida State Inpatient Databases 2005-2011. Patients (<18 years) who underwent nonincidental appendectomies (n = 156,660) were evaluated with hierarchical and multivariate negative binomial regression analyses on outcomes including hospital cost, length of stay (LOS), and associated morbidity.

Results: From 2005 to 2011, there was a decrease in the rate of negative appendicitis and perforated appendicitis, whereas the rate of true acute nonperforated appendicitis increased. Whites, females, and privately insured patients were associated with higher negative appendicitis rates, whereas those at an increased risk for perforated appendicitis were African-Americans, males, and those with public or no insurance. Compared to patients with acute nonperforated appendicitis, those with negative appendicitis have significantly higher morbidity (2.5% versus 1.3%), longer LOS (3.4 versus 1.8 d), and greater hospital costs averaged over time ($6926 versus $6492 per patient).

Conclusions: Despite a low incidence, negative appendicitis is associated with greater morbidity, longer LOS, and higher cost than acute nonperforated appendicitis. Certain subpopulations are at higher risk for undergoing surgery for negative appendicitis, whereas others are at greater risk for presenting with perforated appendicitis. Further research is needed to understand what drives such disparities and to inform efforts to improve quality of hospital care across all groups of patients.