Benign anorectal diseases and obsessive symptoms: a holistic analysis of psychological and lifestyle factors–a prospective case-control study

Benign anorectal diseases, such as hemorrhoidal disease (HD) and anal fissures (AF), are common conditions that negatively affect individuals’ quality of life. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms, on the other hand, can impact both mental and physical health. This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between benign anorectal diseases and obsessive-compulsive symptoms and to evaluate the role of psycho-social factors in the clinical management of these two conditions. This cross-sectional, case-control study was conducted in May 2023, at Gaziantep Abdulkadir Yüksel State Hospital. A total of 64 patients diagnosed with HD and/or AF (Group 1) were compared with a control group of individuals without anorectal pathology (Group 2). Participants’ obsessive-compulsive symptoms were assessed using the Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI). Obsessive-compulsive symptoms were more frequent in the case group than in controls, but this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The prevalence of HD in Group 1 was 62.5%, while the prevalence of AF was 54.7%. No significant differences were found in mean scores or the distribution of high/low scores in the MOCI 30- and 37-item versions (p = 0.519, p = 0.241). 60.9% of the case group exceeded the cut-off value of 13.11, while this rate was 48.5% in the control group. In terms of lifestyle habits, smoking (p = 0.018), spice consumption (p = 0.030), and the use of squat toilets (p = 0.005) were more common in Group 1. Higher proportions of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in the case group suggest a potential relationship, even though no statistically significant differences were found between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and benign anorectal diseases. These findings highlight the need for larger, longitudinal studies to clarify causal links and emphasize the importance of a holistic approach incorporating both physical and psychological assessment in managing these conditions.