Could Allergies Lower Risk of Complicated Appendicitis?

Children with IgE-mediated allergy have a lower risk of developing complicated appendicitis compared with those without allergy, according to the results of a recent study.

Although childhood appendicitis is commonly complicated by gangrene and perforation, risk factors for these complications are unknown.

Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study including patients who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis at a pediatric surgery center in Sweden between January 1, 2007 and July 31, 2017. The children were stratified between those with and without IgE-mediated allergies.

Overall, 102 (16.9%) of the 605 included children had IgE-mediated allergy and 503 (83.1%) had no allergy. Complicated appendicitis occurred in 20 children with IgE-mediated allergy (19.6%) compared with 236 children with no allergy (46.9). Those with IgE-mediated allergy also had shorter hospital stay.

“The findings suggest that immunologic disposition modifies the clinical pattern of appendiceal disease. This theory introduces novel opportunities for understanding of the pathogenesis and clinical decision making for one of childhood’s most common surgical emergencies.”

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Salo M, Gudjonsdottir J, Omling E, et al.

Association of IgE-mediated allergy with risk of complicated appendicitis in a pediatric population [published online August 6, 2018]. JAMA Pediatr. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.1634