Is Acute Appendicitis More Dangerous to an Older Person?

Is Acute Appendicitis More Dangerous to an Older Person?

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QUESTION: Is a case of acute appendicitis more dangerous to an older person?
I always had the notion that only young people could develop this condition.
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ANSWER: Although acute appendicitis is primarily a disease of the young, it
is not unusual in older people. The danger lies in delaying treatment (i.e.,
by mistaking the symptoms for those of other illnesses), since a ruptured
appendix can lead to peritonitis, abscess, and even death.
Time, say the experts, is a crucial factor in dealing with the disease,
because mortality rates are highest (especially in the elderly) when emergency
surgery is required. Usually appendicitis follows a pattern: pain begins at
the navel and gradually moves to the lower right side of the abdomen. Nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, tenderness, or low-grade fever normally follow.
With older folks, however, this course may not hold true. Other factors
may hinder proper diagnosis. For instance, in 45% of all cases, pain does not
localize, and in older patients it is always less intense. Special problems
such as senility, fear, or deafness may make communication with the patient
difficult. And other conditions present at the time, such as heart disease,
circulatory problems, diabetes, and intestinal disorders like diverticulitis,
often mimic or mask the symptoms.