Bhatia A, Pal R. Morbidity pattern of the 27th Indian Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica.
Wilderness Environ Med 2012;
23:231-238.e2. [PMID:
22835801 DOI:
10.1016/j.wem.2012.04.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2011] [Revised: 03/26/2012] [Accepted: 04/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate morbidity prototype of 27th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA).
METHODS
Twenty-six team members of 27th ISEA wintered over at the Indian Antarctic Station, Maitri, from February 2008 to January 2009. The morbidity pattern was sourced from the medical records. Preexisting illnesses were also considered in this analysis.
RESULTS
The team consisted of men between 27 and 59 years of age (mean age, 43 years). Nine team members had preexisting illnesses. A total of 93 illness incidents were recorded during the stay in Antarctica. Most of these (27) were musculoskeletal injuries, bruises, and lacerations. Thirty-two (34%) incidents of illness were noted under the purview of medicine; 26 (28%), surgery; 15 (16%), orthopedics; 9 (10%), otorhinolaryngology; 8 (9%), ophthalmology; 2 (2%), dentistry; and 3 (3%), psychiatry. Oral ulcers were noted in 8 (8%) participants primarily during early wintering.
CONCLUSIONS
Injuries continue to be the most common cause of morbidity in Antarctica. Nutritional deficiencies and cold-related injuries are relatively less common.
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