Consumption of red-hot chili pepper increases symptoms in patients with acute anal fissures. A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind, crossover trial

Abstract

-Background -Red-hot chili pepper and other spices have been blamed for causing or exacerbating symptoms of anal pathologies like anal fissure and hemorrhoids. Aim -To determine if consumption of chilies increases symptoms of acute anal fissures. Methods -Individual patients were randomized to receive capsules containing chili or placebo for one week in addition to analgesics and fiber supplement. Patients were asked to note score for symptoms like pain, anal burning, and pruritus during the study period. After 1 week, cross over treatment was administered to the same group of patients with the same methodology and results were noted at the end of 2 weeks. Results -Fifty subjects were recruited for this study. Forty three of them completed the trial (22 in the chili group and 21 in the placebo group). The daily mean pain score was significantly lower in the placebo group in the study period. Score 2.05 in chili group and 0.97 in placebo group. There was a significant burning sensation experienced by the patients in the chili group (score 1.85 for the chili group vs 0.71 for the placebo group). Patient's mean recorded improvement score was significantly higher after taking placebo. Eighty one point three percent patients preferred placebo while 13.9% preferred chilies. Two patients had no preference. Conclusion -Consumption of chili does increase the symptoms of acute anal fissure and reduces patient compliance. HEADINGS -Fissure in ano. Pimenta. Capsaicin. Spices.

Effectiveness of conservative management of acute fissure in ano: a prospective clinical study of 165 patients

“…can aggravate symptoms in patients with acute fissure in ano. 13,22 In the study conducted by Chaudhary A et al, it was found that 98.6% of patients consumed mixed diet and 1.4% was purely vegetarians.…”

Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants in Bozyazı district of Mersin, Turkey

“…These results illustrate that the eye disease is, the less frequently seen and the hemorrhoid is the most ordinarily observed illness in the area. This high occurrence of hemorrhoid disease in the region may be caused with plenty of hot pepper consumption habits of the locals as a spice (Gupta, 2008) whereas the emergence of eye disease with the lowest level may be due to the fish intake rituals (Giovanni et al, 2009). …”

Botanical Myths: Fake News of the Contemporary World

“…The fruit is characterized as a berry, deciduous or persistent that produces capsaicinoid metabolites (DE SMET, 1985). In addition to the application of pepper for culinary purposes, there was always an appreciation from the population for a belief that it would bring benefits in the treatment of hemorrhoids (GUPTA, 2008). However, these beliefs are not confirmed by the scientific community, as patients with hemorrhoids are advised to avoid foods with the potential to irritate such as peppers, coffees, colas, and spices (OHNING; MACHICADO;JENSEN, 2009); that is, their consumption is not recommended for patients with anal fissures because pepper seems to aggravate the condition of patients with acute anal fissures (ulcers).…”