Sex-based analysis of characteristics contributing to anorectal abscesses requiring acute care surgery

Males present more frequently with anorectal abscesses than females. Factors contributing to this difference are not clear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate comorbidities and demographic features at presentation that may contribute to the male predominance in this disease process.

This is a retrospective study on patients who underwent acute care surgery for anorectal abscess at an urban safety-net hospital from 2015 to 2020. Bivariate analysis was used to determine factors associated with the sex difference in anorectal abscesses requiring acute care surgery.

This study included 208 patients, of which 160 were male (76.9%). At the time of surgery, males had a higher rate of current tobacco use compared to females (25.6% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.009). Additionally, males who presented for surgery were older compared to females, (42.5 ± 10.8 years vs. 37.2 ± 13.4 years, p = 0.005). No differences were found between males and females with respect to comorbidities including diabetes, hypertension, body mass index (BMI), cardiovascular disease, or end stage renal disease.

This study suggests that the male predominance in anorectal abscess necessitating acute care surgery may be partially explained by current tobacco use and older age.