RESUMEN
Background: Being an important physiological and clinical tool in assessing respiratory conditions, it is common knowledge that Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) may be affected by some factors affecting the normal function of the respiratory system. Such factors include the body constitution such as height, built, sex, age etc.; The trunk-leg ratio (TLR) was used in apparently normal young adults. A better understanding of the association between Trunk-leg ratio and PEFR may identify those with elevated risk of respiratory diseases. Methods: The study was an analytical cross-sectional design, involving 83 Level 200 MBBS/BDS students of Bayero University, Kano. There were a total of 39 males and 44 females. A peak flow meter and a measuring tape to scale were used to measure the PEFR, trunk length and leg length respectively. A questionnaire was used to determine any history of cardio-respiratory disease A consent of the participants and ethical approval was obtained before the commencement of the study. Results: The males had higher PEFR value (491.79±67.19L/min) while the females had a lower PEFR of 366.82±43.28L/min and the difference was statistically significant. The males had higher values of trunk length, leg length and TLR and there was no significant different between that male and female trunk length ratio. There was A significant correlation between PEFR and leg length indicating that the longer the leg length, the higher the PEFR. Conclusion and Recommendation: Significant correlation was found between the TLR, which is an anthropometric parameter and the PEFR which is an important diagnostic tool in determination of some types of respiratory diseases. This relationship signifies that the taller the person, irrespective of the trunk length, the higher the PEFR. It is recommended that further studies should be explored involving other anthropometric parameters like trunk-leg volume in future studies.
RESUMEN
STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PURPOSE: To more accurately determine the incidence and clarify risk factors. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is one of the possible complications following correctional operation for scoliosis. However, when preliminary symptoms are vague, the diagnosis of superior mesenteric artery syndrome may be easily missed. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study using clinical data from 118 patients (43 men and 75 women) who underwent correctional operations for scoliosis between September 2001 and August 2007. The mean patient age was 15.9 years (range 9~24 years). The risk factors under scrutiny were the patient body mass index (BMI), change in Cobb's angle, and trunk length. RESULTS: The incidence of subjects confirmed to have obstruction was 2.5%. However, the rate increased to 7.6% with the inclusion of the 6 subjects who only showed clinical symptoms of obstruction without confirmative study. The BMI for the asymptomatic and symptomatic groups were 18.4+/-3.4 and 14.6+/-3, respectively. The change in Cobb's angle for the asymptomatic and symptomatic groups were 24.8+/-13.6degrees and 23.4+/-9.1degrees, respectively. The change in trunk length for the asymptomatic and symptomatic groups were 2.3+/-2.1 cm and 4.5+/-4.8 cm, respectively. Differences in Cobb's angle and the change in trunk length between the two groups did not reach statistical significance, although there was a greater increase in trunk length for the symptomatic group than for the asymptomatic group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that the incidence of superior mesenteric artery syndrome may be greater than the previously accepted rate of 4.7%. Therefore, in the face of any early signs or symptoms of superior mesenteric artery syndrome, prompt recognition and treatment are necessary.