RESUMO
The aim of the study was to investigate prevalence and qualities of sequelae following moderate finger frostbite. The study material comprised 30 subjects, who had suffered second-degree frostbite (73% contact frostbite) 4-11 years before this study. In clinical tests 66% of the subjects had an elevated tendency for vasospasm, yet only 20% suffered from white fingers. However, no marked traces of frostbite-related alterations were observed in systemic cardiovascular reflex tests or in X-ray examinations of the frostbite area. Subjective assessments revealed a high prevalence of sequelae (63%), although the primary frostbite was moderate and local. The sequelae in the frostbite area included hypersensitivity to cold (53%), numbness of fingers (40%), and declined sensitivity of touch (33%). Also working ability was lowered due to frostbite sequelae (13%). In cold air provocation tests, the skin temperature of the frostbitten areas decreased more quickly and reached lower values than in healthy control subjects. In conclusion the suffered frostbite was associated with an increased tendency for vasospasm. Subjective sensations of the frostbitten area were associated with thermophysiological changes. The sequelae were reported to worsen in the cold environment thus emphasizing the probable occupational limitations of even moderate cold injury.
Assuntos
Traumatismos dos Dedos/complicações , Traumatismos dos Dedos/diagnóstico , Congelamento das Extremidades/complicações , Congelamento das Extremidades/diagnóstico , Adulto , Temperatura Baixa , Pessoas com Deficiência , Traumatismos dos Dedos/epidemiologia , Traumatismos dos Dedos/fisiopatologia , Congelamento das Extremidades/epidemiologia , Congelamento das Extremidades/fisiopatologia , Humanos , Hiperidrose/etiologia , Hipestesia/etiologia , Dor/etiologia , Prevalência , Doença de Raynaud/etiologia , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of frostbite among reindeer herders and to clarify the co-factors that may relate to these injuries. 2081 (60%) male reindeer herders in Finland were asked information on frostbite. Logistic regression analysis was used for studying the effect of potential co-factors. 453 men (22% of the respondents) reported frostbites during the last twelve months, the areas most affected being the face, fingers and toes. The amount of time spent in snowmobile driving, white finger symptom and the area of reindeer herding proved to be significant explanatory factors. Since the majority of frostbites were associated with snowmobile driving in spite of protection and adaptation to cold, it seems that new technology has not solved all the problems of the working conditions in a cold environment.