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Introduction: Abdominal hernias are a major public health problem, accounting for a significant number of operations. Aim: The aim of the study is to characterize the main epidemiologic, clinical and social aspects in patients with abdominal hernia treated at Santa Casa in Sao Paulo. Method: Patients from the outpatient surgery and the Emergency Service of Santa Casa de São Paulo were evaluated through a questionnaire that addressed the main epidemiological characteristics and aspects of hernias. Results: 62 patients were evaluated with a predominance of males and patients over 50 years. The inguinal hernia was the most common, being the most frequent bilateral inguinal hernia. Ten patients (16.1%) were incarcerated hernia. The intensity of pain was 6.1 ± 3.2 on a scale from zero through ten. The limitation caused by hernia was 5.1 + 3.4 in the range of zero through ten. The negative impact caused by the hernia on the scale of zero to ten was 5.8 + 3.5. Conclusion: There was a predominance of male patients and above 50 years, natural from Northeastern and other states. The most frequent was inguinal hernia, with a considerable number of complications. There was a negative impact on quality of life of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]