Neurovascular hand symptoms in relation to cold exposure in northern Sweden: a population-based study.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To describe the self-reported ambient cold exposure in northern Sweden and to relate the level of cumulative cold exposure to the occurrence of sensory and vascular hand symptoms. We hypothesize that cold exposure is positively related to reporting such symptoms.

Methods

A questionnaire about cold exposure and related symptoms was sent out to 35,144 subjects aged 18-70 years and living in northern Sweden.

Results

A total of 12,627 out of 35,144 subjects returned the questionnaire (response rate 35.9%). Subjects living in the rural alpine areas reported more extensive cold exposure both during work and leisure time compared to the urbanized coastal regions. Frostbite in the hands was present in 11.4% of men and 7.1% of women, cold sensitivity was present in 9.7

SUBMITTER: Stjernbrandt A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5583276 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature