Contemporaneous evaluation of inguinal hernia causation: a European perspective

The aim of the study was to evaluate any social, occupational and physical factors, which may influence the occurence or cause of a primary inguinal hernia in two European countries.

A questionnaire was completed by all the respondents in the setting of an out-patient clinic prospectively at the time of initial presentation and the data were collected on a secure database. All responses for each question were explored via appropriate descriptive statistics. Statistical comparisons were made using Fisher's exact test where appropriate.

537 adults completed the questionnaire and had their data analysed. Comparisons between those that presented with a primary complaint of either 'bulge/swelling' or 'discomfort/pain' found no differences in occupation, age or any other demographic data. Equal proportions of patients who described a single strenuous event presented with a bulge/swelling or discomfort/pain. The reporting of a causative single strenuous event was not significantly influenced by occupation, lifestyle or amount of activity carried out nor was there any significant influence upon when a hernia presented after the suspected strenuous event, although the majority reported a lump within 1 week.

This study cannot at present support the belief that a single strenuous event will be the sole cause for the development of a primary inguinal hernia.