Relationship Between Forced Migration and Complicated Acute Appendicitis in a National Referral Hospital in Peru

Delgado Montaño G.M.; Roque Quezada J.C.; Virú Flores H.M.; Medina Jiménez A.N.; Barturen Julca V.A.; Román Yrigóin M.J.; Vega Vega R.R. · Poblacion y Salud en Mesoamerica (2025) · DOI: 10.15517/rckat816

Resumen

Introduction: Acute Appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergencies both globally and nationally, with various factors potentially leading to greater complications. This study aims to determine the association between complicated acute appendicitis and forced migration in adults treated at a referral hospital in Peru between 2020 and 2024. Methodology: A quantitative, observational, cross-sectional, analytical, and retrospective study was conducted on a population of patients over 18 years old diagnosed with acute appendicitis. The sample included 690 patients, analyzed according to clinical, demographic, and laboratory variables. Results: The findings showed a significant association between forced migration and complicated acute appendicitis (CAA). The mean age of the patients was 46.11 ± 10.5 years, with a predominance of males (52.9%) and adults (88.4%) in the migrant group, where 73.2% presented CAA. Additionally, forced migration was significantly associated with CAA (adjusted prevalence ratio: 1.14; p = 0.023), as well as a neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥ 7.4 and an Alvarado score > 7.5. Conclusions: The results suggest that forced migration is a significant risk factor for the development of complicated acute appendicitis, possibly due to barriers in healthcare access and delayed diagnosis. Therefore, it is recommended to strengthen strategies to improve medical care for migrant populations and reduce these health disparities. Copyright

Instituciones: Universidad Científica del Sur; Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista; Universidad César Vallejo