Constitutional and behavioral risk factors for chilblains: a case-control study from Pakistan.
OBJECTIVE
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Raza
Naeem
N
PAF Hospital Faisal, Shahrah e Faisal, Karachi, Pakistan. naeemraza561@hotmail.com
Habib
Aamir
A
Razvi
Syed Kamran Amir
SK
Dar
Nasser Rashid
NR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000531:Altitude; D001628:Beverages; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002647:Chilblains / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010154:Pakistan; D012307:Risk Factors; D013662:Tea; D055815:Young Adult
D013662:Tea