It can occur at any age but is more common in young to middle-aged adults.
It is more common in women.
Clinical findings may include:
(1) abdominal or perineal pain, especially during defecation
(2) constipation with or without a sense of obstruction
(3) a history of straining at stool
(4) variable history of rectal bleeding
(5) variable history of digital disimpaction
(6) mucous discharge
(7) variable presence of a palpable mass lesion or an area of induration on the anterior rectal wall
(8) variable diarrhea or loose stools
Many patients are misdiagnosed as having:
(1) Crohn's disease
(2) ulcerative colitis
(3) rectal carcinoma
(4) adenomatous polyps
(5) suppository-related injury
