Constitutional and Behavioral Risk Factors for Chilblains: A Case-Control Study From Pakistan

• Published in: Wilderness & environmental medicine 2010-03, Vol.21 (1), p.17-21.e1
• Main Authors: Raza, Naeem, Habib, Aamir, Razvi, Syed Kamran Amir, Dar, Nasser Rashid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Altitude; Beverages; Case-Control Studies; chilblains; Chilblains - epidemiology; Chilblains - etiology; Chilblains - genetics; Child; Child, Preschool; cold inujury; Cold Temperature - adverse effects; Emergency; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Hand Disinfection; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Odds Ratio; Pakistan; perniosis; Risk Factors; Tea; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1080-6032; 1545-1534
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wem.2009.12.023

Objectives To study constitutional and behavioral risk factors for chilblains in patients at Abbottabad and Sialkot, Pakistan. Methods One hundred patients and matched controls completed a single-page, close-ended questionnaire which included demographic data and questions related to possible constitutional and behavioral risk factors for chilblains. Computer program SPSS-10 was used to manage and analyze the data. Risk factors were identified statistically by determining odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals using multivariate analysis. Results There were an equal number of male and female respondents in each group. Age of the patients and controls ranged from 2 to 80 years with a mean of 24.51 ± 16.02. Twenty-six patients and 3 controls had a positive family history for chilblains (odds ratio = 9.33); 42 patients and 14 controls reported a history of constipation (odds ratio = 2.69); 32 patients and 8 controls had a history of either numbness or tingling of fingers or toes (odds ratio = 2.93); 55 patients and 45 controls led sedentary lifestyles (odds ratio = 1.27); 85 patients and 58 controls consumed a low number of cups of tea daily (odds ratio = 3.20); 65 patients and 29 controls frequently washed their hands and/or feet (odds ratio = 4.93); and 56 patients and 33 controls had occasional sun exposure during winter months (odds ratio = 2.08). Conclusion Significant risk factors for the development of chilblains for people at Abbottabad and Sialkot included a history of chilblains in first-degree relatives, numbness and tingling sensations of fingers or toes, frequent hand or feet washing, and lower tea consumption during winter months.