Publication:

A retrospective study of demographic profile of keloid over the pinna in central Karnataka

Background Unusually higher number of patients was observed to seek medical attention for keloids over the pinna in a geographical area in Central Karnataka. This study was conducted to find the demographic profile of such patients.

Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted in two tertiary care centres, in which medical case files of all patients with documented diagnosis of keloid over the pinna between January 2013 to October 2017, were reviewed for their demographic profile and clinical presentation.

Results A total of 482 patients had presented with keloids of pinna in the duration studied. Of these 474 were females and 8 were males, with a mean age of 29 years. The most common age group of patients (37.3%) was 21 to 30 years followed by 31 to 40 years (25.7%). The most common antecedent event to keloid formation was piercing of the helix of the pinna. The commonest location of keloid formation in the pinna was found to be helix of the pinna (92.7%) The mean time interval between the antecedent event and keloid formation was 14 months.

Conclusions Higher number of patients seeks medical attention for keloid over the pinna in geographical region of central Karnataka. Most of them had undergone ear piercing and had presented in their early adulthood. Ear piercing over the helix of pinna was more commonly associated with keloid formation. Further studies are intended to be done on the etiological factors for higher incidence of keloids and feasible preventive measures.