Hemorrhoids and Constipation in Bangkok Monks
Techathuvanan K, MD1
Affiliation : 1 Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To assess the prevalence and associated factors of constipation and hemorrhoids in urban Buddhist monks.
Materials and Methods : This cross-sectional study included monks living in temples in Dusit and Nong Chok districts of Bangkok
between March and November 2017. Demographic and health data including bowel habit, problems of defecation, eating habit, daily
lifestyle, and physical examinations as well as laboratory data were collected. Factors associated with constipation and hemorrhoids
were determined.
Results : Among 174 monks included in the study, 36 monks (20.7%) had defecation problems. The prevalence of constipation and
hemorrhoids were 15.5% and 4%, respectively. Monks with constipation tended to be older than those without the problem
(50.7+22.6 years and 43.1+17.9 years; p = 0.051). Other findings which were more common among the monks with constipation
than the other monks were: higher frequency of tea or coffee drinks (33.3% vs. 17%; p = 0.049), having osteoarthritis of knee
(11.1% vs. 2%; p = 0.049) and creatinine level >1 mg/dL (51.9% vs. 32%; p = 0.047). On the other hand, monks with hemorrhoids
were significantly older (62.7+17.9 years vs. 43.5+18.5 years; p = 0.008) and had more hypertension (71.4% vs. 12.6%; p = 0.001),
dyslipidemia (42.9% vs. 7.8%; p = 0.018), and heart diseases (28.6% vs. 1.8%; p = 0.013) than those without hemorrhoids. Only
hypertension was an independent associated factor with hemorrhoids in multivariable analysis.
Conclusion : Approximately 1/5 of Thai monks living in Bangkok had defecation problems. Several associated factor with
constipation and hemorrhoids were identified. Older age was a common factor for both conditions. Lifestyle modification including
having high fiber diet, minimize tea or coffee consumption and good control of other medical illnesses may alleviate the defecation
problems.
Keywords : Constipation, Hemorrhoids, Monk
