Predisposing factors for frostbite – a ten-year retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction/Objective Frostbite is a cold-induced injury of the tissue caused by the freezing of intra-and extracellular water, and characterized by thrombosis and ischemic necrosis. Although individual, socioeconomic, and environmental factors are all considered fundamental determinants of human health in general, their role in the occurrence of frostbite remains largely unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the associations among these factors and frostbite for patients in Belgrade, Serbia. Methods We investigated a total of 24 patients that were hospitalized and treated for frostbites at the Clinic for Burns, Plastic, and Reconstructive surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia, 2008–2017. Results The majority (88%) of the patients were male, 58% were long-term alcohol consumers, 46% were long-term smokers, and one patient was drug addict. Of the patients, 14 (58%) had no income and depended on government support, 10 (42%) were employed in physical labor or work on the field, and three (13%) of the patients were homeless. Of the 24 frostbite patients identified, deep frostbite accounted for 18 (75%), of whom 17 (70.8%) had an operative outcome. A majority of patients (42%) sustained frostbite when the temperature was in the range of-5–0°C on the date of occurrence. Conclusion The results of our study showed that individual, social, and environmental factors were important determinants of frostbite. Our results will contribute to existing evidence for risk factors related to frostbite and will allow for comparisons across countries where these factors have been examined. © 2019, Serbia Medical Society. All rights reserved.