Epidemiology

The exact incidence of haemorrhoidal disease is difficult to quantify, but community-based studies in the UK estimate that between 13% to 36% of the population is affected.[3]

Analysis of healthcare utilisation data in the US found that haemorrhoids were the third most common gastrointestinal, liver, or pancreatic disorder diagnosed in the outpatient setting, with an estimated 3.9 million cases per year.[4]​ The prevalence of haemorrhoids is approximately 4% based on self-report data from a nationwide survey in the US.[5]​ In contrast, the prevalence of haemorrhoids on colonoscopy screening ranges from 16.6% to 38.9%, but many of these patients reported no associated symptoms.[6][7]

Haemorrhoids are more common in white patients than in black patients, with presentation peaking between the ages of 45-65 years.[5] 

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