Sport Practice and Hemorrhoidal Disease: Results from a Self-assessment Questionnaire Among Athletes

Overview

Journal Int J Colorectal Dis

Specialties Gastroenterology
General Surgery

Date 2025 Jan 8

PMID 39775136

Authors

Lucia Romano

Antonio Giuliani

Federico Paniccia

Francesco Masedu

Leonardo Tersigni

Martina Padula

Renato Pietroletti

Marco Clementi

Fabio Vistoli

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Hemorrhoidal disease (HD) is a common proctologic disease. Dietary and lifestyle play a role in the genesis of the disease or in its progression to more severe forms, although the exact mechanism is still not fully understood. We performed a pilot observational cross-sectional analytical association study to evaluate the possible association between sport activities and HD.

Methods: We included subjects aged 18 years old or more, competitive and non-competitive, practicing at least one sport activity, at least twice a week. Data were collected using an online questionnaire, developed on the Microsoft Teams communication platform.

Results: Out of the 312 study participants, 34% reported HD. Among subjects who practiced cycling or horseback riding, 57% reported suffering from HD; among those practicing bodybuilding, 48% complained of HD. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, age and bodybuilding practice showed a statistically significant association with HD.

Conclusions: Some sport activities could play a role in the onset or worsening of HD. Our results showed a positive association between cycling, horseback riding, bodybuilding, and HD occurrence. Given the numerous health benefits of physical activity, patients should be provided with correct information regarding the practice of sports in relation to their pathology.

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