THERE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EATING HABIT S AND HEMORRHOIDS

OBJECTIVES: it is empirically accepted that certain foods play a role in the pathogenesis oi hemorrhoids or their acute exacerbation. The ai m of this work was to determine whether there is a relationship betwee n hemorrhoids and certain food-related or common toxin-related factors . PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two groups of 50 subjects were compared, Group I was composed of 50 patients with hemorrhoid symptoms. Fifty volunte ers with no proctologic abnormality were included in group II. We used a diet survey to compare total calorie, protein, carbohydrate, fat, f ood fiber, water, alcohol, salt, pepper, pimento, tea, and coffee inta ke was well as smoking habits. Episodes of constipation were also note d. RESULTS: Overall calorie intake, as well as protein, carbohydrate a nd fiber intake were similar in the two groups as were use of salt cof fee and tea. Dietary intake in group I was higher for fat (p = 0.02), alcohol (p = 0.01), pepper (p = 0.04, and pimento (p = 0.001). Subject s in group I drank less water (p = 0.008), smoked more (p = 0.01) and were more often constipated (p < 0.001) than those in group II. CONCLU SION: Our findings provide further arguments suggesting that dietary i mbalance or smoking coulb be involved in the development oi hemorrhoid s. These factors should be evaluated in appropriate dietary inquires. Epidemiological surveys would be required to confirm their possible ca usal effect.