SynthesisAdvances in therapy2019
Prevalence of Anal Fistulas in Europe: Systematic Literature Reviews and Population-Based Database Analysis.
Synthesis in Advances in therapy, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 39 papers, 6 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
39 citing papers in PubMed, 6 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Efficacy of FiLaC in different types of anal fistula. A systematic review and meta-analysis.Lasers in medical science · 2026Pooled it
- Comparison of clinical outcomes of anal fistula plug and endoanal advancement flap repair treating the complex anal fistula: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Updates in surgery · 2023Pooled it
- Mesenchymal stem cells transplantation for perianal fistulas: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.Stem cell research & therapy · 2023Pooled it
- Surgical management of complex perianal fistula revisited in a systematic review: a critical view of available scientific evidence.BMC surgery · 2023Pooled it
- Efficacy and safety of FiLaC™ for perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Techniques in coloproctology · 2022Pooled it
- Simple fistula-in-ano: is it all simple? A systematic review.Techniques in coloproctology · 2021Pooled it
- Efficacy of micronized purified flavonoid fraction in reducing pain after anal fistula surgery: a randomized controlled trial.Techniques in coloproctology · 2026Trial
- Assessing quality of life in anal fistula patients after Seton placement using different knot types: Randomized controlled trial.International journal of colorectal disease · 2026Trial
- Study on the effect and mechanism of Yanghe decoction Huacai on tissue repair ofsyndrome after anal fistula surgery.Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan · 2024Trial
- Quality and content evaluation of anal fistula information on TikTok and Bilibili: A cross-sectional study.Medicine · 2026Article
- Treatment of complex perianal fistulas with fistula laser closure : Application of the IDEAL 2A framework.Wiener klinische Wochenschrift · 2026Article
- Use of microfragmented autologous adipose tissue (LIPOGEMS®) as a sphincter-saving therapy for complex anal fistulas: a single-center retrospective study.BMC surgery · 2026Observational
- Multiomics analysis dissects the molecular foundation of perianal fistulas associated with Crohn's disease and of cryptoglandular origin.Journal of Crohn's & colitis · 2026Article
- Spectrum and Management of Anorectal Disorders: A Retrospective Analysis From the United Arab Emirates.Cureus · 2026Article
- Metabolic profiles of amino acids in patients with crohn's disease-associated perianal fistulas and cryptoglandular anal fistulas.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Perianal fistulas: a new management approach using mesenchymal stem cells as a human, biological and autologous tool-a single-centre observational study.International journal of colorectal disease · 2025Observational
- Article
- Laser fistula treatment: beyond the controversial aspects: best clinical practice recommendations from an international group of surgeons with extensive experience in the procedure-the FiLaC recommendations.Techniques in coloproctology · 2025Review
- Assessing the Quality and Readability of Online Patient Information for Common Proctological Conditions.Cureus · 2025Article
- Depression in patients with anorectal fistulas and anal fissures: a propensity score-matched cohort study.Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
10 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionDespite the fact that perianal fistulas are associated with significant morbidity and impaired quality of life, their prevalence in Europe is unknown. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of perianal fistulas in Europe, overall and according to etiology.
methodsTwo independent literature reviews were performed using different search strategies to maximize the identification of potentially relevant studies. Data from relevant articles were used to estimate the prevalence of perianal fistulas in Europe. The robustness of the estimate was evaluated using data from a large population-based database from the UK.
resultsA total of 26 studies provided epidemiological data on perianal fistulas, of which 16 provided suitable data to estimate the prevalence. Estimations using these data yielded a total prevalence of 1.69 per 10,000 population. Cryptoglandular infection and Crohn's disease (CD) were the predominant etiologies, with prevalence rates at 0.86 and 0.76 per 10,000 population, respectively. Comparison of prevalence data from the UK population-based database with the European population resulted in a standardized prevalence estimate of all perianal fistulas of 1.83 per 10,000 population, confirming the robustness of the literature-based estimate.
conclusionAlthough in terms of incidence cryptoglandular fistulas were clearly predominant, the prevalence of fistulas in CD and cryptoglandular infection appeared more balanced. This is due to the longer duration and higher frequency of relapses of fistulas in CD. The estimated prevalence implies that perianal fistulas meet the criteria to be considered as a rare condition in Europe (prevalence less than 5 per 10,000 population).
fundingThis study was funded by Takeda Pharmaceutical U.S.A., Inc. and TiGenix SAU.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.