Clinical profile and risk factors of haemorrhoidal disease in Satara district: Establishment of a regression model

BACKGROUND: Haemorrhoids are one of the most common anorectal diseases reported by clinical studies, and they can be prevented by kindly understanding their clinical profile and risk factors. However, the different factors affecting haemorrhoids, some that are modifiable. The actual need is to focus on unmodifiable factors that are associated with haemorrhoid disease. Also, the literatures that determine the aetiology of haemorrhoid and their risk factors is very less in number for Maharashtra state. To study the clinical profile for determining the association of risk factors with haemorrhoid disease in Satara district is the main aim of this study and also establish a regression model on risk factors of haemorrhoidal disease for clinical purpose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was based on a case-control design. A total of 80 cases and 80 age-sex matched controls were selected using a consecutive sampling technique. The questionnaire method was used to collect the data on risk factors of haemorrhoids with different characteristics, such as sociodemographic, Habitat and behavioural, personal, and obstetric. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to develop a regression model on risk factors associated with haemorrhoid disease. RESULTS: Three binary logistic regression models were generated, model-1 is the combined model for both males and females, model-2 for males and model-3 for females. The results on binary logistic regression of all these three models showed that the variables, prolonged sitting type of work, taking only veg diet, positive family history, less intake of water, consumption of more tea or coffee, fasting or control diet, frequent consumption of fast food, number of previous pregnancies in female were associated with haemorrhoid. The model-1 revealed that they had 69.4% accuracy for prediction, for model-2 and model-3 the accuracy was 74.0% and 83.9% respectively. There was no multicollinearity problem found in all three models. CONCLUSION: Male predominance in haemorrhoid disease was high in the age group 21–40 years. The variables: prolonged sitting type of work, taking only veg diet, less intake of water, taking more tea or coffee, fasting or control diet, frequent consumption of fast food, number of previous pregnancies in female found to increase the odds of having haemorrhoid. All these are modifiable but, it is necessary for comprehensive public health campaigns to educate individuals about symptoms, risk factors and access of reliable and accurate information about this disease from various sources. Significant or minor changes in lifestyle and dietary habit play a crucial role in the prevention of haemorrhoid disease. Only the factor family history is unmodifiable, and it is one of the strongest risk factors for haemorrhoids. Hence, it is necessary to be aware that those individuals have a positive family history of haemorrhoids.