Epidemiology
About 80% of pilonidal sinuses occur in men, usually from the age of puberty to about 40 years of age, but rarely in older people (1).
Women who develop a pilonidal sinus tend to be younger. This is consistent with their earlier onset of puberty (1).
Patients tend to be, but are not invariably, dark, hairy, and they are often obese.
About half of patients present as acute emergencies with a pilonidal abscess (2).
References
- Luedi MM, Schober P, Stauffer VK, et al. Gender-specific prevalence of pilonidal sinus disease over time: a systematic review and meta-analysis. ANZ J Surg. 2021 Jul;91(7-8):1582-7.
- Gil LA, Deans KJ, Minneci PC. Management of pilonidal disease: a review. JAMA Surg. 2023 Aug 1;158(8):875-83.
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