Contemporaneous evaluation of inguinal hernia causation: a European perspective.

AIM: 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.

METHODS: 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.

RESULTS: 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.

CONCLUSION: 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.