Spectrum and Management of Anorectal Disorders: A Retrospective Analysis From the United Arab Emirates

TL;DR

This study examines the prevalence and treatment of anorectal disorders in the UAE, finding that hemorrhoids and anal fissures are most common and often require surgery.

Contribution

The study provides new data on anorectal disorders in the UAE, highlighting treatment patterns and patient demographics in a tertiary care setting.

Findings

Hemorrhoids and anal fissures are the most prevalent anorectal disorders in the UAE population studied.

Surgical interventions are more common than conservative treatments, likely due to delayed presentation.

Overweight and obese individuals and those aged ≥35 years are more frequently affected.

Abstract

Background: Anorectal disorders, including hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and anal fistulas, are common conditions that can significantly impact quality of life. Data on their prevalence, clinical presentation, and management in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution, symptoms, and treatment patterns of anorectal disorders in a tertiary care setting in the UAE.

Methods: A retrospective review of medical records was conducted for 176 patients diagnosed with anorectal disorders at a tertiary hospital in the UAE, between January 2024 and January 2025. Sociodemographic data, clinical presentation, and management modalities were extracted using a structured proforma. Descriptive statistics were performed using SPSS version 29 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY).

Results: A total of 176 patients were included, with a predominance of males (153, 86.9%) and individuals aged ≥35 years (97, 55.1%). Patients of Asian nationality accounted for 137 (77.8%), and 122 (69.4%) were overweight or obese. Hemorrhoids were the most common disorder, with 71 (40.8%) patients presenting with grade III and 26 (14.8%) with grade IV disease, followed by anal fissures in 49 (27.3%) patients and anal fistulas in 11 (6.3%) patients. The most frequent presenting complaint was a combination of pain and bleeding seen in 94 patients (53.4%), followed by bleeding alone in 62 patients (35.2%) and pain alone in 20 patients (11.4%). Surgical intervention was more common than conservative management, with hemorrhoidectomy performed in 75 (42.6%) cases, conservative treatment in 69 (39.2%), fissurectomy in 25 (14.2%), and fistulectomy in 7 (4.0%).

Conclusions: Hemorrhoids and anal fissures are the most prevalent anorectal disorders in this UAE tertiary care population, frequently presenting with pain and bleeding. Surgical intervention predominates, likely due to delayed presentation and advanced disease. Early detection, conservative management, and targeted public health strategies could reduce progression to severe disease and minimize the need for surgery. Training primary care providers to recognize anorectal disorders promptly may further improve patient outcomes.

Figures