摘要: Life events were recorded for the year preceding appendicectomy in 119 patients aged 17-30. In 63 appendicitis was confirmed histologically and 56 appendix not acutely inflamed. Both groups had experienced significantly more than a community comparison group when those which carry some degree of threat to individual are considered. case severe events, however, whose normal or only mildly inflamed demonstrated pattern similar that found depression, whereas with acute group. A follow-up study number people experiencing threatening fell expected level postoperatively depression associated continued abdominal pain. These findings may be relevant understanding irritable-bowel syndrome.