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Incidence and aetiological factors in pilonidal sinus among Turkish soldiers
O F Akinci1, M Bozer, A Uzunköy
1Department of Surgery, Harran University, Faculty of Medicine, Research and Training Hospital, Sanliurfa, Turkey.
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.