Correlation of Blood Pressure with Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference and Waist by Hip Ratio.

BACKGROUND: The Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference and Waist by Hip ratio have linear relation with increase in blood pressure. This study will correlate blood pressure with these anthropometric measures in normal subjects to find out the subtle increase in which of these measure would linearly increase blood pressure. The aim is to find the better anthropometric measure to relate with blood pressure changes. METHODS: One hundred and seventy five healthy medical students were enrolled for the study in Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara after getting ethical clearance. The mean reading of right brachial arterial blood pressure with mercury manometer in sitting position was taken. For anthropometric measures, body weight was measured in weighing scale and height and circumferences of waist and hip were taken with non elastic measuring tape. The data were used to derive required variables. RESULTS: Out of 175 participants, 59% were male and remaining female. The non obese participants were 46.3% followed by obese (22.9%) as per Asia Pacific Guidelines for The Body Mass Index. The positive correlation of increase in Systolic and Diastolic components of blood pressure was statistically highly significant [P=0.00] in female with normal Waist Circumference and Waist by Hip ratio. However in general, SBP was positively correlated with Waist by Hip ratio [r=0.44] and DBP was positively correlated with Waist Circumference [r=0.43] and were statistically highly significant [P=0.00]. CONCLUSIONS: The Waist Circumference and Waist by Hip Ratio have stronger correlation with blood pressure components than Body Mass Index even in normal subjects.

Fingerprints as an Alternative Method to Determine ABO and Rh Blood Groups.

INTRODUCTION: Blood grouping is conventionally done with invasive method by taking blood samples. The objective of this study is to determine blood group with uninvasive procedure by taking fingerprints of the participants and know the associations between their fingerprints and blood groups. METHODS: Seven hundred participants of both genders with no any age limitation from Manipal Teaching Hospital and Manipal College of Medical Sciences were randomly selected. The blood grouping was done by cross reacting blood sample with the antibodies. The fingerprints were taken with the help of stamp pad imprinting the finger ridges over A4 size white papers. The loop, whorl and arch patterns were studied. RESULTS: O+ve blood group 224 (32%) was most prevalent among 700 participants. The loop pattern was highly distributed 3708 (53%) in all blood groups except in A-ve blood group with highest distribution of whorl 20 (40%). The mean comparisons of specific fingerprint in total and also in individual fingers with different ABO and ABO-Rh blood groups showed no any statistical association with P>0.05. However, the loop distribution in individual finger was highest in right middle finger (M) of B-ve blood group 5 (10%). The whorl distribution in individual finger was highest in right index (I), left thumb (T) and left ring (R) fingers of AB+ve blood group 20 (5.5% each). Similarly, the arch distribution was highest in right index fingers of A-ve blood group 3 (6%). CONCLUSIONS: The mean comparison of different fingerprints with ABO and Rh blood groups showed no significant statistical association concluding fingerprints cannot be used for blood grouping.

Menstrual pattern among adolescent girls of Pokhara Valley: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Menstruation is a normal physiological process occurring every month throughout the reproductive age of the females. However, significant variation in menstrual pattern is observed among adolescents. The objective of this study was to determine menstrual pattern among adolescent girls of Pokhara Valley. METHOD: A cross sectional study was conducted in seven schools of Pokhara Valley. A total of 260 adolescent girls were included in the study. Girls were requested to complete questionnaire containing 19 items. Selected girls voluntarily agreed to answer questionnaire under the supervision of the researcher and then the data was analyzed. RESULTS: Mean age of the girls was 14.0 ± 1.3 years. Mean age at menarche was 12.2 ± 0.9 years. The mean cycle length of the subjects was 34.8 ± 11.8 days. It was observed that as many as 167(64.2%) girls had irregular menstrual cycle and significant association was found between regularity of menstruation and ethnicity. Seven (2.7%) girls had a menstrual cycle length shorter than 21 days, 60(23.1%) had cycle longer than 35 days and 193(74.2%) had a normal cycle length between 21 and 35 days. Majority 231(88.8%) had normal duration of menstruation. Dysmenorrhoea was reported by more than half of the girls and significant association was found between severity of dysmenorrhoea with school absenteeism and treatment needed. CONCLUSION: Dysmenorrhoea was the most common menstrual problem among adolescent girls. Girls' school attendance was affected due to menstrual pain. Girls with severe dysmenorrhea needed medical treatment. Irregular menstruation was reported by more than half of the girls and significant association was found with the ethnicity.