High occurrence of perianal abscess among Bedouin compared to Jews in the southern region of Israel

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the ethnic differences of perianal abscess between Bedouin and the general population in southern region of Israel. Israeli-born Arabs have much less colorectal cancer than Israeli-born Jews. It is not clear whether other colorectal diseases have the same ethnic occurrence. METHOD: This is a retrospective case series of patients who had perianal abscess. Patients' demographics, managements and course of disease were analyzed. RESULTS: Bedouin male constituted 29.7% of all patients, while they constitute only 15.7% of the population relative risk of 2.27 (p< 0. 001). 16.4% of the patients experienced perianal abscess recurrence. 39% of the males with recurrent abscess formation were Bedouin, relative risk of 1.8 (p<0. 001). CONCLUSION: Bedouin males have high relative risk to develop perianal abscess. Bedouin males as others with first recurrence have high relative risk for recurrence. Thus for both groups of patients, there is an indication to operate in order to treat the abscess and coexisting fistula.