The prevalence, characteristics and treatment of hemorrhoidal disease: results of an international web-based survey.

This international study assessed the characteristics and treatment of individuals with hemorrhoids. Online survey among nationally representative populations of adults from Brazil, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Russia and Spain, that identified participants who self-reported having hemorrhoidal disease. Hemorrhoid prevalence was 11% (1725/16015); most respondents had low-severity disease (71%). Compared with the general population, participants with hemorrhoidal disease had more comorbidities (mean 3.1 vs 1.3) and included more women who had been pregnant (81 vs 68%). Common initial signs/symptoms were pain (60%), bleeding (47%) and discomfort (43%). Hemorrhoid respondents who consulted a physician were more likely to undergo interventions and take medications. The prevalence of hemorrhoidal disease in the adult population is 11%, mostly low-severity disease.