Factors Associated with Hemorrhoids in Korean Adults: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough hemorrhoids are one of the most common anal diseases among Koreans, risk factors for hemorrhoids have not been well identified.MethodsWe analyzed the data from the 4th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) between 2007 and 2009. Study subjects were 17,228 participants of KNHANES who were aged 19 years or older. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate associations between hemorrhoids and probable risk factors.ResultsOverall prevalence of hemorrhoids among study subjects was 14.4%, being more prevalent among women (15.7%) than among men (13.0%). Obesity and abdominal obesity were associated with a higher risk of hemorrhoids with odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence intervals, 95% CI) of 1.13 (1.01 to 1.26) and 1.16 (1.04 to 1.30), respectively. Both self-reported depression (OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.62 to 2.08) and physician diagnosed depression (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.35 to 2.17) were associated with significantly higher risk of hemorrhoids. No regular walking (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.23) and experience of pregnancy (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.17 to 2.25) for women were also associated with higher risk of hemorrhoids. However, educational level, alcohol consumption, physical activities, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, fiber, fat intake, and energy intake were not associated with a risk of hemorrhoids. Low quality of life assessed with EuroQol-5 Dimension and EuroQol-Visual Analogue Scale was significantly associated with hemorrhoids.ConclusionThis nationwide cross-sectional study of Korean adults suggests that obesity, abdominal obesity, depression, and past pregnancy may be risk factors for hemorrhoids and hemorrhoids affect quality of life negatively.

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“…Approximately 25% of British people and 75% of American citizens, especially pregnant women and elderly adults, experience haemorrhoids at some point in their lives (Tucker, George, Barnett, & Longson, ). Other reports have shown that haemorrhoids in adults are 14.4% and 38.9% prevalent in South Korea and Australia, respectively (Lee, Kim, Kang, Shin, & Song, ; Riss et al., ). In 2015, a large‐scale epidemiological investigation demonstrated that the prevalence rate of haemorrhoids in urban and rural permanent residents aged over 18 years in China was as high as 50.28% (Jiang, Zhang, Sui, Li, & Yan, ).…”

“…Approximately 25% of British people and 75% of American citizens, especially pregnant women and elderly adults, experience haemorrhoids at some point in their lives (Tucker, George, Barnett, & Longson, 2008). Other reports have shown that haemorrhoids in adults are 14.4% and 38.9% prevalent in South Korea and Australia, respectively (Lee, Kim, Kang, Shin, & Song, 2014;Riss et al, 2012).…”