Effect of ambient air pollution on the incidence of appendicitis

Epidemiologic Features of Appendicitis

“…A similar seasonal variation to ours was reported four decades earlier in Britain (Ashley, 1967). Our observation of an association between appendicitis and air pollution was corroborated by a study from Western Canada (Kaplan, et al, 2009). The significance of these observations is underscored by pathological studies linking appendicitis to eosinophilic degranulation (Santosh & Aravindan, 2008;Aravindan, et al, 2010).…”

“…The presence of local infections probably stimulates the lymphoid follicles to hypertrophy and occlude the lumen of the appendix more commonly in this age group. The efficiency of the immune system in this age group is also a plausible explanation for the tendency for remote agents like air-pollution and sandstorms to be associated with significant variations in the incidence of appendicitis (Kaplan, et al, 2009;Sanda, et al, 2008). On the other hand the immaturity of the immune system before the age of five years and immunosenescence as well as the atrophy of the wall and obliteration of the lumen of the appendix as seen intraoperatively or at autopsy in aged individuals may explain why appendicitis is less common in these age groups.…”

Modeled effects of an improved building insulation scenario in Europe on air pollution, health and societal costs

“…In addition, effects on intrauterine growth intelligence and lung development in childhood, and associations with diseases including diabetes, appendicitis, airway infections, and rheumatoid arthritis have been reported, e.g. in (Medina-Ramon et al, 2006;Gauderman et al, 2007;Brauer et al, 2008;Hart et al, 2009;Kaplan et al, 2009;Puett et al, 2011;Andersen et al, 2012;Bellinger, 2013). In addition, some of the CRF applied in our study are probably underestimating the health effects.…”

1055 Non-Specific Abdominal Pain and Air Pollution: A Novel Association

“…[15] Furthermore, individuals less than 24 years and living in areas of higher concentration of NO 2 were at a two-fold increased risk of developing Crohn's disease. [16] Because our risk estimates were modest in size, our findings may reflect significant associations among a specific gastrointestinal disorder (e.g., Crohn's disease).…”

“…[12,13,14] Recently, studies have indicated that air pollution may affect gastrointestinal disorders such as the inflammatory bowel diseases and appendicitis. [15,16] Air pollutants can cause systemic effects such as cardiovascular [17] or liver metabolic [18] changes after primary deposition and direct effects in the respiratory compartment. [19] However, most inhaled particles deposited in the nasopharyngeal compartment and airways are removed through mucociliary clearance and swallowed within a day [20] and thus, gastrointestinal effects may be due to direct effects of particles.…”