A comparative study of the peak expiratory flow rate of Indian and Nepalese young adults in a teaching institute.

Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) measurement is the easiest and cheapest method to evaluate respiratory functions. So, the study was carried out to evaluate PEFR of healthy Nepalese adults and compare their values with healthy Indian counterparts to know whether Indian prediction equations for PEFR can be used for Nepalese adult population or not. One hundred twenty-three healthy, young, non smoker adult Indian (64: 28 Males, 36 Females) and Nepalese (59: 32 Males, 27 Females) medical students of 18 to 20 years of age participated in the study. The mean PEFR of Indian (male: 490.4 liter/min, female: 386.0 liter/min) and Nepalese (male: 485.9 liter/min, Female: 365.2 liter/min) young adults were found to have no significant differences. As there is no significant difference in the mean PEFR of Indian and Nepalese young adults, prediction equations made for Indian adults can be used to predict PEFR of Nepalese subjects. Therefore, an attempt has been made to formulate a regression equation from the combined Indian and Nepalese subjects. A stepwise, multiple, linear, regression analysis was performed for this purpose. The analysis showed that height is the best predictor for PEFR in the present study. The regression equation based on height for the combined Indian and Nepalese young adults is calculated as: PEFR = 5.687 x Height (cm) - 495.787. However, a stepwise, multiple, linear, regression equation with residual analysis for the best fit model was performed to formulate prediction equation for PEFR and this showed a change of the earlier regression equation to PEFR = 5.930 x Height (cm) - 536.131.

A comparative study of body mass index (BMI) in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals in Nepalese population.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is the most common endocrine disorder world-wide. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing. In the present study an attempt has been made (i) to examine the relation between obesity and diabetes mellitus in Nepalese people, (ii) to find out whether BMI cut-off points for determining over weight and obesity as per WHO criteria are applicable in Nepalese study population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was carried out in Manipal College of Medical Sciences (MCOMS) and Manipal Teaching Hospital (MTH), Pokhara. The Diabetic patients of Pokhara and surroundings who attended the 'Diabetic Clinic' and Out Patient Department (OPD) during August 2004 to November 2004 at Manipal Teaching Hospital were included in the present study. The number of diabetic patients was two hundred (200), out of which, one hundred and fourteen (114) were male and eighty six (86) were female. In addition one hundred (100) non-diabetic subjects who attended the OPD at MTH were taken for comparison with the diabetic patients, of which, forty seven (47) were male and fifty three (53) were female. Age, height and weight were recorded for every subject. BMI was calculated by the standard formula. In the present study, body mass index (BMI) of the diabetic subjects was found to be more than that of non-diabetic subjects. BMI of non-diabetic males and females were found to be around 22 kg/m2 which is within normal range as per WHO recommendations. On the other hand, diabetic subjects' BMI were found to be around 25 kg/m2, which denotes borderline obesity. It is clear from the present study that 51.5% of the diabetic subjects were within the normal range (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2). More diabetic subjects were found in over-weight (25-29.9) category than non-diabetic subjects. As per WHO criteria 56% of the non-diabetic subjects were within the normal BMI range (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2). It is also evident that when BMI in the range of 25.0-29.9 kg/m2 is considered as over-weight, only 33% were found to be over-weight in diabetic subjects. But when BMI > or =23 kg/m2 (as recommended for Asians) is taken as the determining factor for overweight, 64% of overweight male subjects and 72.09% of overweight female subjects were found to be diabetic. Conclusion: According to the observations of the present study on Nepalese it can be concluded that BMI cut-off points for determining over-weight and obesity should be lowered to 23 kg/m2 or less which can provide an adequate basis of taking action on risks related to overweight and obesity in Nepal.