There is insufficient epidemiologic evidence to draw meaningful conclusions about ( i ) the existence of causal associations between specific occupational mechanical exposures and the development of inguinal hernia , and ( ii ) the influence of these exposures on prognosis after inguinal hernia repair with respect to hernia recurrence and persistent pain
OBJECTIVES The aim of this review was to evaluate the epidemiologic evidence for ( i ) a causal effect of occupational mechanical exposures on incidence of inguinal hernia , and ( ii ) a prognostic effect of such exposures on hernia recurrence and persistent pain after inguinal hernia repair .
Body Mass Index and Groin Hernia: A 34-Year Follow-up Study in Swedish Men
Objective :  Inguinal  hernias are very common disorders , especially in men , with inguinal herniorrhaphy being one of the most frequently performed general surgical procedures in men . Theoretically , obesity might increase the risk of groin hernia by increasing intra-abdominal pressure . The objective of the present study was to investigate whether overweight and obesity in middle age could significantly predict future groin hernia  in men . Summary Background Data : Design : Prospect i ve cohort study ; Setting : General population of men living in Gothenburg , Sweden ; Participants : A community-based sample of 7483 men aged 47 to 55 years were followed-up from baseline ( 1970–1973 ) for a maximum of 34 years . Main Outcome Measures : A diagnosis of groin hernia according to the Swedish hospital discharge register . Results : A total of 1017 men ( 13.6 % ) were diagnosed with groin hernia .  An inverse relationship was found between body mass index ( BMI ) and risk of groin hernia . With each BMI unit ( 3–4 kg ) , the relative risk for groin hernia decreased by 4 % ( P < 0.0001 ) . Compared with men of normal weight , obese men had a 43 % lower risk ( P = 0.0008 , 95 % confidence interval 21%–59 % ) . Heavy smokers demonstrated a 26 % lower risk for groin hernia ( P = 0.003 , 95 % confidence interval 10%–39 % ) . Diabetes , high physical activity , and blood pressure were not associated with groin hernia . Entering other variables potentially associated with groin hernia , as age , BMI , smoking , and serum cholesterol , in a multivariable analysis left the risk estimates for BMI and smoking virtually unchanged . Conclusions : In a large community-based sample of middle-aged men overweight and obesity were associated with a lower risk for groin hernia during an extended follow-up . Obesity , in comparison with normal weight , reduced the risk of groin hernia by 43 % . A reduced risk of groin hernia was also noted in heavy smokers . Obviously , hernia may be more easily detected in lean men but a true protective effect can not be excluded
There is insufficient epidemiologic evidence to draw meaningful conclusions about ( i ) the existence of causal associations between specific occupational mechanical exposures and the development of inguinal hernia , and ( ii ) the influence of these exposures on prognosis after inguinal hernia repair with respect to hernia recurrence and persistent pain
OBJECTIVES The aim of this review was to evaluate the epidemiologic evidence for ( i ) a causal effect of occupational mechanical exposures on incidence of inguinal hernia , and ( ii ) a prognostic effect of such exposures on hernia recurrence and persistent pain after inguinal hernia repair .