The profile of patients presenting at a Hand Surgery Clinic of University Hospital in the province of Van

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: By identifying the profile of patients presenting at a Hand Surgery Clinic in the province of Van, it was aimed to contribute to the epidemiological data in Turkey. METHODS: Our study included 205 patients who presented at the Hand Surgery Clinic. Patients were excluded if they had polytrauma or upper extremity injuries associated with cervical radiculopathy or burn injury. The patient data were recorded via sociodemographic data form. t-test used for categorical data and z-test used to for the means of numeric data. RESULTS: The patients presenting at the polyclinic comprised 25.8% females, 43% males and 31.1% children. The mean age was 25.6 years. In 64.9% of the patients, there was injury or disease at the level of the hand. Of these patients, 39.6% were manual labors and 65.3% had a low income level. The patients who presented at the Emergency Department comprised 7.4% females, 70.3% males and 22.2% children. The mean age of these patients was 26.8 years and there was injury to the hand and fingers in 83.3%. 65.9% were manual labors and 73.8% reported a low income level. In 48.1% of the patients, it was recorded as a forensic case. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In this study conducted in the East Anatolia region of Turkey, it was seen that the majority of patients with hand injuries and diseases were young males and manual labors with a low income level. We think the findings of this study will contribute to epidemiological studies to be conducted in the region and nationwide

Keywords

• eastern anatolia region
• hand surgery clinic
• patient profile.