Clinical Profile of AnoRectal Bleeding in Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Surgical Unit – A cross-sectional study from Northeast India

Abstract

Background: Anorectal bleeding is a common surgical presentation, often linked to benign conditions such as haemorrhoids and fissures, but
occasionally indicative of malignancy. Regional data from Northeast India remains limited.
Objective: To evaluate the sociodemographic profile, clinical presentation, and etiological spectrum of patients presenting with anorectal
bleeding at a tertiary care surgical unit.
Methods: A crosssectional study was conducted at AGMC & GBP Hospital, Agartala, enrolling 629 consecutive patients with rectal bleeding
between June 2024 and December 2025. Data on demographics, clinical features, comorbidities, digital rectal examination findings, haemoglobin
levels, and complications were collected using a structured proforma and analysed descriptively.
Results: The majority of patients were aged 40–60 years (37.2%) and male (69.8%). Urban residents comprised 59.9% of the cohort. Pain
(42.9%), constipation (32.8%), and rectal mass (24.3%) were the leading symptoms. Digital rectal examination revealed anal fissure (47.7%)
and haemorrhoids (46.3%) as the predominant causes, while malignancy was detected in 1.9%. Anaemia was the most frequent complication
(13.5%). Most patients had haemoglobin >10 g/dl (71.4%).
Conclusion: Anorectal bleeding in this region is primarily attributable to benign anorectal disorders, though malignancy, though infrequent,
remains a critical differential diagnosis. Early evaluation and lifestyle modification are essential to reduce morbidity and improve outcomes.