Prospective Evaluation of the Association Between Hemorrhoids and Lower Extremity Varicose Veins Using Doppler Ultrasound (HEMOVAR Study)
The HEMOVAR Study is a prospective observational study designed to evaluate the association between hemorrhoidal disease and lower extremity varicose veins. A total of 400 adult patients presenting to the general surgery proctology outpatient clinic of Aydın Adnan Menderes University Hospital will be included. The study will consist of two groups: 200 patients diagnosed with hemorrhoids and 200 patients with other non-hemorrhoidal benign proctologic conditions serving as controls. All participants will undergo routine clinical evaluation and demographic data collection. Cardiovascular surgeons will voluntarily perform physical examination and Doppler ultrasonography of the lower extremities to assess venous insufficiency and varicose veins. No experimental intervention or treatment will be applied. The study will not require any consumable materials and will not impose any additional financial burden on the hospital, patients, or the national health insurance system. The primary outcome is the prevalence of lower extremity venous insufficiency in patients with hemorrhoids compared with controls.
• Adults aged 18 years or older
• Patients presenting to the general surgery proctology outpatient clinic of Aydın Adnan Menderes University Hospital
• Patients diagnosed with hemorrhoidal disease or other non-hemorrhoidal benign proctologic conditions
• Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent