Key result
Incidentally detected internal hemorrhoids independently predicted increased carotid intima-media thickness (OR 4.29), suggesting a potential association with early atherosclerosis.
Why the study?
Despite etiological similarities and retrospective evidence linking hemorrhoids with cardiovascular diseases, the real-time correlation between hemorrhoids and cardiovascular risk remained unknown.
Does the incidental detection of internal hemorrhoids predict increased cardiovascular risk as measured by CIMT and EFT in patients undergoing colonoscopy?
Cross-Sectional (n=269)
Single-blind
No
Does the incidental detection of internal hemorrhoids predict increased cardiovascular risk as measured by CIMT and EFT in patients undergoing colonoscopy?
Odds Ratio: 4.29 (95% CI 2.24–8.22)
Absolute Event Rate: 22% vs 9.6%
p-value: p=<0.001
Incidentally detected internal hemorrhoids during colonoscopy independently predict increased carotid intima-media thickness, suggesting a potential novel clinical marker for early atherosclerosis risk.
Hemorrhoids may signal higher CV risk via CIMT/EFT; hypothesis-generating and should not change practice without prospective data.
The relationship between anal canal hemorrhoids and cardiovascular diseases has been demonstrated in retrospective population-based studies. Despite the etiological similarities, the real-time correlation between hemorrhoids and cardiovascular risk is not known yet. We aimed to investigate the importance of incidentally detected internal hemorrhoids in predicting cardiovascular risk as determined by Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) and Epicardial Fat Thickness (EFT) measurements. Totally, 269 patients who underwent colonoscopy for benign reasons were enrolled in this single-center cross-sectional study. The groups with and without hemorrhoids were compared for CIMT, EFT, and other risk factors. Independent predictors for increased CIMT and EFT values were evaluated by regression analysis. The mean age of the patients was 43.5±13.9 years and 34.6% were female. The prevalence of internal hemorrhoids was 30.5% (n=82). The presence of hemorrhoids was one of the independent predictors for increased CIMT along with hypertension and smoking (OR: 4.29, 2.63, and 2.36, respectively). The independent predictors of increased EFT were female gender, high body mass indexes, and high platelet levels (OR: 2.27, 1.47, and 1.01 respectively). Incidentally diagnosed internal anal canal hemorrhoids, albeit for other reasons, can be a useful predictor for the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
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Eroğlu et al. (2023) conducted a cross-sectional in Patients undergoing colonoscopy for benign reasons (n=269). Internal hemorrhoids vs. No internal hemorrhoids was evaluated on Increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) (OR 4.29, 95% CI 2.24-8.22, p=<0.001). Incidentally detected internal hemorrhoids independently predicted increased carotid intima-media thickness (OR 4.29), suggesting a potential association with early atherosclerosis.
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