A study on correlation of sagittal abdominal diameter and blood pressure

ABSTRACT

Background: Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in our country due to modernization. The distribution of body fat plays an important role in complications due to obesity. Sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) is considered as an index of abdominal obesity and cardiovascular risk, but its correlation with blood pressure (BP) is poorly understood in our population. Hence, this study is designed. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to measure SAD and to correlate it with neck circumference (NC), systolic BP, and diastolic BP. Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was done on 155 participants both males and females attending non-communicable disease outpatient department. Written informed consent was obtained. SAD, NC, and systolic and diastolic BPs were measured. Results: Results were analyzed statistically using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Positive correlation was obtained for SAD with systolic BP, diastolic BP, and NC. Conclusion: As SAD increases, systolic BP and diastolic BP increase. This shows that SAD is a simple and inexpensive anthropometric parameter to identify early cardiovascular risk. NC is also a valuable tool for the estimation of upper body distribution of fat and helps to identify complications of obesity.