Constipation occurs in 60% or more of patients with anal fissure? A close relationship between constipation and anal fissure

Constipation occurs in 60% or more of patients with anal fissure? A close relationship between constipation and anal fissure

Constipation causes anal fissure.

Anal fissure is caused by a tear of the anal epithelium when hard stool due to constipation or diarrheal stool passes through the anus1). In particular, constipation is a common chief complaint of patients with anal fissure, and chronic constipation was observed in 64% of those with anal fissure in some overseas data. Therefore, chronic constipation is considered to be the biggest risk factor for anal fissure2).

(n = 80. Overseas data)2)

Lifestyle is likely to cause constipation.3, 4)

Factors that cause constipation include irregular eating habits, insufficient intake of dietary fiber, water, and lipids, etc., undernutrition, vitamin deficiency, general weakness, psychological factors such as tension, fear, and sadness, habit of holding an urge to have a bowel movement, and lack of exercise. Therefore, it is important to improve lifestyle, including diet and exercise habits prevent constipation.

[References]
1) The Japan Society of Coloproctology: Clinical Practice Guidelines 2014 for Anal Diseases (Hemorrhoids, Anal fistula, Anal fissure) 2014.
2) Nzimbala, M.J. et al: Acta Chirurgica Belgica, 109: 720, 2009.
3) Research Group of The Japanese Society of Gastroenterology, Study Group for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Constipation: Clinical Practice Guidelines for Chronic Constipation 2017: 2017
4) Mayumi Miyauchi: G Notebook of General Medicine, 4: 718, 2017

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