ABSTRACT
Frostbite affects more commonly the northern population then it was suspected earlier, but wherever cold winter occurs, cold caused lesions are reported. Most often, it is described as soft tissue lesions, but deeper structures like tendons, ligaments, muscles, cartilage or bones can be affected. All extremities can be involved; lesions can lead to necrosis and amputations. First documented cases were described during military actions, but occupational or recreational activities can also be a risk factor for frostbite. Frozen or frostbite arthropathy is a rare cause of osteoarthritis. Usually, arthritis appears after a long time after frostbite, it can be decades apart. Frostbite arthropathy can result in different debilitating conditions. The current review describes the most important changes in frostbite and a rare but very serious late complication, which lead to arthropathy.
Subject(s)
Frostbite/complications , Joint Diseases/complications , Osteoarthritis/complications , Adult , Arthrometry, Articular , Cartilage/diagnostic imaging , Cartilage/pathology , Frostbite/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Joint Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Joints/pathology , Male , Osteoarthritis/diagnostic imaging , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation between PC screen exposure of over 8 hours and Dry Eye Syndrome in 18-25 years-old students. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, cohort clinical study, carried out in March 2012 - February 2013. All subjects completed a questionnaire, underwent a slit lamp examination and measurement of visual acuity. RESULTS: Among the 59 participants of this study, 26 were EXPOSED (> 8 hours of PC screen exposure = EXPOSED) and 33 were NONEXPOSED. The 18-25 - year old participants who were exposed over 8 hours to the PC screen had a relative risk of 5,5 to develop Dry Eye Syndrome, compared to NONEXPOSED participants. Results indicate that Dry Eye Syndrome incidence and intensity of symptoms had increased proportionally with the hours of exposure. Tear Film Breakup Time, the Ocular Protection Index and the PC Ocular Protection Index decreased with the hours of PC screen exposure, suggesting a behavioral change in the EXPOSED participants. CONCLUSION: Exposure of over 8 hours to the PC screen caused Dry Eye Syndrome in 18-25 - year old students, with a relative risk of 5,5.
