Arif Hakan Demirel, Altay Koken, Ali Ulvi Ongoren.
Role of obesity, familial tendency & sedentary occupation in the etiology of Pilonidal sinus.
Pak J Surg Jan ;22(4):187-90.

Objective: To investigate the significance of anthropometric measurements, familial tendency and sedentary occupa- tion in the aetiology of pilonidal sinus disease. Design & Duration: Prospective study conducted from May 2004 to February 2005. Setting: 2nd Department of General Surgery, Family Medicine Clinic, Ministry of Health Ankara Training and Re- search Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Patients: A total number of 140 patients, 70 in the study group and 70 as control, participated in the study. Methodology: The patients in the study group had pilonidal sinus disease, while the patients in the control group had other anorectal complaints. Thorough history taking and examination was done in all the patients,with special emphasis on occupation, family history of pilonidal sinus disease, and anthropometric measurements including weight, height, hip circumference, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI) and waist/height ratio and waist/hip ratio. Results: In the study group the mean value of body mass index and waist/height ratios were found to be as 26.2 and 0.52, respectively. In the control group the mean value of body mass index and waist/height ratios were found to be as 23.9 and 0.49, respectively (p<0.01). In the study group the value of family history and sedentary occupation ratios were found as 12.9% and 38.6%, respectively (p<0.05). In the control group the value of family history and sedentary occupation ratios were found as 2.9% and 22.9%, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusion: We conclude that high BMI, high waist/height ratio, familial tendency and sedentary occupation might be risk factors for pilonidal sinus disease.

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