Cross-sectional survey between hyperuricemia and non-frozen cold wounds among agricultural workers

Objective To investigate the correlation between hyperuricemia and non-frozen cold wounds (chilblains) in agricultural workers of a township for prevention measures. Methods From October 2016 to September 2017, a cross sectional study was applied to 3107 agricultural workers of a township in kaihua county, zhejiang province, of which 371 people with hyperuricemia were observed as the objective group and of which 2 736 people without hyperuricemia as the control group. The data of the occurrence of non-frozen cold wounds (chilblains) in winter among the objective group and the control group were gathered. The descriptive statistics was carried out with the prevalence ratio (PR) of chilblains and 95% confidence intervals of those agricultural workers with hyperuricemia. Results The prevalence rate was 11.94% and 371 cases with hyperuricemia among 3107 agricultural workers of a township. The total number of cases of non-frozen cold wounds (chilblains) was 195 cases and the prevalence rate was 6.28% with Chilblains among 3 107 agricultural workers of a township. The total of 55 cases with chilblains (14.82%) among the objective group, and 140 cases with chilblains (5.12%) were found among the control group (χ2=52.342, P<0.05) . The objective group had a high prevalence of chilblains. The prevalence ratio (PR) of chilblains was 2.897 (95%CI 2.163-3.881) . Conclusion Hyperuricemia may be a risk factor for non-frozen cold wounds (chilblains) . Those agricultural workers with hyperuricemia should pay more attention to keep warm and prevent non-frozen cold wounds (chilblains) in winter. Key words: Hyperuricemia; Non-frozen cold wounds (chilblains); Epidemiology; Cross-sectional studies; Agricultural workers