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Risk factors affecting anal fistula incidence: a single hospital study
Azhimi F.
Chirurgia Turin
Q4Abstract
BACKGROUND: Fistulas are abnormal connections between two epithelial surfaces, such as the anal canal epithelium and perianal skin epidermis. While fistula cases at Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital Makassar are considered as rare, compared to other diseases, complications can aggravate anal fistula if not treated immediately. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the risk factors affecting anal fistula incidence in detail.METHODS: This cross-sectional study used a descriptive observational design. It examined medical records at Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital Makassar, Indonesia, between March and May 2021. Its study population comprised 62 anal fistula patients treated at Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital Makassar between 2016 and 2020.RESULTS: The 62 patients comprised 46 males and 16 females with a mean age of 43.3 (standard deviation [SD] = 14.86): 41 were ≤45 years, and 21 were >46 years. Fifteen were obese, six were underweight, 25 were active smokers, and 19 had a history of alcohol consumption. Sixteen had diabetes, seven had hypertension, 15 had a perianal abscess, three had pulmonary tuberculosis, and five had hemorrhoids. Their mean Body Mass Index was 22.47 (standard deviation [SD] = 3.08).CONCLUSIONS: This study found anal fistulas more common in males than females and identified diabetes, smoking, and immunodeficiency as risk factors for their aggravation.