CAUCASIAN RACE, SMOKELESS TOBACCO USE, AND BLISTER INCIDENCE IN MARINES356

Abstract

Foot blisters can adversely affect physical performance during military field training exercises. This study investigated the association of such factors as smokeless tobacco use, smoking, age, race, time in service, height, weight, BMI and physical fitness on the incidence of foot blisters in 294 male U.S. Marines (Mean ±SD: age, 22.7±4.0 yrs; height, 179.0±7.0 cm; weight, 78.8±9.4 kg) who underwent an 18 day, cold weather, field training exercise. Training included road marching, ski marching, downhill skiing, snow shoeing, and combat training activities. Marines completed a questionnaire prior to the start of the training that included inquiries about demographics, fitness, anthropometrics, and tobacco use. Injury data were obtained from medical records recorded by physicians in mobile medical stations and by foot exams conducted by physicians after the final exercise. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the interrelationships among factors. Odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals(95%CI) were calculated. Overall incidence of blisters was 19.0% (56/294). The odds of incurring a blister were significantly higher in Caucasians and in those who used smokeless tobacco ≥ once/month. If an individual was Caucasian and used smokeless tobacco the blister risk was fourfold.Table These data show a strong relationship between Caucasian race, the use of smokeless tobacco and the incidence of blisters independent of other factors studied.