Smartphone use on the toilet and the risk of hemorrhoids.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional observational study
PubMed 40901789 · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0329983
What was done
Cross-sectional study of 125 adult patients undergoing screening colonoscopy at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Participants completed survey questionnaires regarding smartphone habits on the toilet, Rome IV questionnaires, straining, fiber intake, and physical activity. Hemorrhoids were visualized endoscopically and independently rated by two blinded endoscopists. Multivariable logistic regression was adjusted for age, sex, BMI, exercise, straining, and fiber intake.
What was found
Of 125 participants, 66% reported smartphone use on the toilet, and 43% had hemorrhoids visualized on colonoscopy. Smartphone users were younger than non-users (mean age 55.4 vs 62.1 years, p = 0.001) and more frequently spent more than five minutes per visit on the toilet (37.3% vs 7.1%, p = 0.006). In multivariate logistic regression, smartphone use on the toilet was associated with a 46% increased risk of hemorrhoids (p = 0.044). The most common activities reported were reading news (54.3%) and social media (44.4%).
Why it matters
This provides multivariable observational evidence linking smartphone use on the toilet to prolonged sitting time and an increased prevalence of hemorrhoids.
Limits
Single-center cross-sectional design cannot establish causality. The sample size was modest (n = 125), and behaviors including smartphone duration and dietary fiber relied on self-report surveys.
Cited by
- supports Using a smartphone on the toilet can increase the risk of developing hemorrhoids.