Which symptom would indicate potential complications in a patient with anal fissure?

Persistent rectal bleeding in a patient with an anal fissure is a significant symptom that suggests potential complications. While anal fissures can commonly cause some bleeding, the presence of persistent rectal bleeding raises concern for more serious issues, such as infection, a deeper fissure that may involve the underlying rectal tissue, or even other gastrointestinal disorders that could contribute to bleeding.

Normal findings associated with anal fissures typically include sharp pain during bowel movements and some localized bleeding, but it should not be continuous or significant. If a patient experiences ongoing bleeding, it could indicate that the fissure is not healing properly or that there are other underlying problems that need to be addressed.

The other symptoms mentioned do not directly relate to the complications associated with anal fissures. A burning sensation during urination may suggest urinary tract issues, increased appetite is generally unrelated to anal fissure complications, and severe headaches can be caused by a wide range of other medical conditions, none of which typically correlate with the complications of anal fissures.