The causation of appendicitis

Diet-Related Disease Patterns in South African Interethnic Populations

“…In 1920, Rendle Short of Bristol advanced that the increased commonness of appendicitis was caused by the reduced consumption of cellulose, which commenced in 1880-1890, particularly that contained in cereals (20). Later, in the 1950s, Walker (10) in South Africa, and subsequently Trowell (21) and Burkitt (22), from observations made in East Africa and elsewhere, maintained that appendicitis is almost unknown among traditionally living Third World populations, accustomed to a high intake of fiber-containing foods, whether derived from cereals, legumes, tubers, vegetables, or fruits.…”

Diseases of the Alimentary Tract and Western Diets

“…This fibre lack may result in obstruction to the lumen, either through a faecalith, a characteristic of low residue faeces, or through muscular contraction. This is believed to result in raised intra luminal pressures and consequent dévitalisation of the mucosa which in turn predisposes to bacterial invasion [Short, 1920;Burkitt, 1971b;Walker et al, 1973]. It seems possible that alterations in diet may cause changes in faecal bacterial flora which may predispose to infection [Cleave et al, 1969].…”

Appendicectomy Prevalences in South African Adolescents

“…Appendicitis is uncommon (i) in popula tions who consume a diet high in fibre-con taining food, and low in animal fat and pro tein foods [1,[2][3][4][5][6][7]27], and (ii) in populations characterized by greater frequency of defaecation, a larger amount of faeces voided dai ly, and shorter transit time [1,[2][3][4][5][6][7][27][28][29], Ashley, [30] considered that, apart from diet, vascular disorders and non-specific viral in fections were important as aetiological fac tors. More recently, Creed [31] has put for ward that a stressful life, including emotional problems and depression, may be influential.…”

“…Hence, data on appendicectomy prevalences have been secured from representative series of high school pupils aged 16-18 years inclu sive, in various regions, country and town. Since diet appears to affect predisposition to develop appendicitis [2][3][4][5][6][7], some aspects of the diet consumed by the various population groups, particularly in relation to dietary fibre content, were investigated.…”