A study of burden and risk factors of inguinal hernia from Western Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Background:Hernias pose a tremendous economic and physical burden to the patients. The well known risk factors and causes of the inguinal hernias have been reported as increased abdominal pressure, pre-existing weakness of abdominal muscles, straining during defecation, heavy lighting of weights, obesity, pregnancy etc. The objective of this study was to find out burden of various types of inguinal hernia observed in the region of western Uttar Pradesh as well as risk factors associated with them.Methods: This retrospective study was executed by Department of General Surgery, FH Medical College, Tundla. A retrospective cohort of patients who had come to the hospital with complaints of groin swelling with or without pain and took treatment during August 2015 to September 2016 formed the study population. Data of 98 patients, who had come to the surgery outpatient department for inguinal hernia repair or recurrence from, were included in this study.Results:36.7% patients were aged between 46-60 years, which was the commonest age group, followed by 31-45 years with 28.6% of the patients. 79.6% of the cases were primary inguinal hernia while remaining 20 cases (20.4%) were recurrent hernia. Duration of swelling was less than one year for majority of the patients (57%), while the least of them had swelling for more than 2 years (10%). The common risk factors responsible for the presence of hernia among these patients were lifting heavy objects in 48 (48.9%) and constipation, seen in 47 (47.9%) of the patients. 42 (42.8%) had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease whereas 30 (30.6%) had diabetes. 35 (35.7%) of the patients were alcoholics and 32 (32.6%) of them were smokers.Conclusions:This study highlights burden of various types of inguinal hernia observed in the region of western Uttar Pradesh as well as risk factors associated with them. This information can be of great importance of surgeons managing such cases in this area.