Association of Hemorrhoids With Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Associated Comorbidities: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Sheng-Pang Hsu,Hsin-Hung Chen,Chia-Hung Kao,Chun-Wei Ho,Tzu-Yuan Wang,Ming-Chia Hsieh,Hei-Tung Yip

doi:10.3389/fendo.2020.577767

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the relationship between hemorrhoids and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT).Methods: Using Taiwan's Longitudinal Health Insurance Database, we compared the incident risk of HT between the study cohort (comprising patients with hemorrhoids) and the comparison cohort (comprising patients without hemorrhoids). Both cohorts were followed from index date until the date of HT diagnosis, withdrawal from the National Health Insurance program, or the end of 2015.Results: The study cohort and comparison cohort comprised 6,486 patients with hemorrhoids and 25,944 patients without, respectively. The mean follow-up time was ~3 years. The incidence rate of HT in the study cohort was 5.37 per 1,000 person-years, which was higher than that of the control cohort (2.46 per 1,000 person-years). The risk of developing HT in the study cohort was 2.06 times (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02, 4.19) higher than that in the comparison cohort.Conclusion: In our study, patients with hemorrhoids could be at increased risk of HT compared with patients with other comorbidities of HT, such as cardiovascular disease.

Highlights

Hemorrhoids are commonly diagnosed in general health checkups [1] and are an increasingly common gastrointestinal disorder
In our study, patients with hemorrhoids could be at increased risk of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) compared with patients with other comorbidities of HT, such as cardiovascular disease
Compared with patients without hemorrhoids, after controlling for gender and age, patients with hemorrhoids were 2.06 times more likely to develop HT

Summary

Introduction

Hemorrhoids are commonly diagnosed in general health checkups [1] and are an increasingly common gastrointestinal disorder. Many clinical manifestations such as asymptomatic or rectal bleeding result in poor quality of life [2]. Risk factors for hemorrhoids include high intra-abdominal pressure and fragile supporting structure. Many conditions such as obesity, constipation, diarrhea, chronic or persistent cough, pregnancy or delivery, and prolonged standing may increase intra-abdominal pressure [3, 4]. Studies since the 1980’s have noted a shift in the population group with high incidence of hemorrhoids from elderly to middle-aged patients. To evaluate the relationship between hemorrhoids and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion