Incidence and aetiological factors in pilonidal sinus among Turkish soldiers

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 w ith pilonidal sinus, and incidence of pilonidal sinus. Results: 88/1000 soldiers had pilonidal sinuses; in 48 they were symptomati c and in 40 asymptomatic. The factors associated with the presence of a pil onidal sinus were: family history of pilonidal sinus (18/88 compared with 3 2/912, p < 0.0001); obesity defined as weight over 90 kg (34/88 compared wi th 32/912, p<0.0001); being the driver of a vehicle (58/88 compared with 30 8/912, p<0.0001); and the incidence of folliculitis or a furuncle at anothe r 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 fac tors are understood.