Open AccessIncidence and aetiological factors in pilonidal sinus among Turkish soldiers
Author(s) -
Akıncı Ömer Faruk,
Bozer Mikdat,
Uzunköy Ali,
Düzgün Şükrü Aydın,
Coşkun Ali
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
european journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1741-9271
pISSN - 1102-4151
DOI - 10.1080/110241599750006875
Subject(s) - medicine , incidence (geometry) , sinus (botany) , etiology , asymptomatic , surgery , dermatology , botany , physics , optics , biology , genus
Objective: To study the incidence and causes of pilonidal sinus in Turkish soldiers. Design: Open study by questionnaire. Setting: Military and University hospitals, Turkey. Subjects: 1000 soldiers who presented for their first medical examination. Main outcome measures: Correlation between factors known to be associated with pilonidal sinus, and incidence of pilonidal sinus. Results: 88/1000 soldiers had pilonidal sinuses; in 48 they were symptomatic and in 40 asymptomatic. The factors associated with the presence of a pilonidal sinus were: family history of pilonidal sinus (18/88 compared with 32/912, p < 0.0001); obesity defined as weight over 90 kg (34/88 compared with 32/912, p < 0.0001); being the driver of a vehicle (58/88 compared with 308/912, p < 0.0001); and the incidence of folliculitis or a furuncle at another site on the body (22/88 compared with 64/912, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Pilonidal sinus is an acquired condition, penetration of hair is the main cause, and the disease can be prevented if the aetiological factors are understood. Copyright © 1999 Taylor and Francis Ltd.