ABSTRACT
Background The thyroid gland is an indispensable organ exerting control over the activity of multiple organ systems including the autonomic nervous system. This study attempted to monitor the variations in autonomic function parameters such as galvanic skin response (GSR) and muscle grip strength (HGS) in conjunction with changes in body fat percentage (BFP). Methodology This case-control study was conducted among 40 female hypothyroid patients as cases and 40 age-matched female healthy volunteers as controls. Anthropometric data were collected using standard techniques. GSR and HGS were measured using Equivital Sensory Electronic Module and Grip Force Transducer, respectively. Data extraction and analysis were done using the LabChart software. Results The mean age of the 40 female hypothyroid patients was 30.14 ± 5.91 years, whereas the mean age of the female controls was 29.37 ± 6.59 years. The waist circumference of cases was 85.81 ± 10.39 cm while that of controls was 80.90 ± 11.18 cm. The BFP of cases was 35.38% ± 6.74% while that of controls was 31.72% ± 5.63%. The GSR amplitude showed a significant difference between hypothyroid and healthy volunteers with values of 1.34 ± 1.14 µS and 2.40 ± 1.86 µS, respectively. The HGS indices showed no significant difference between the two groups. A statistically negative correlation was noted between BFP and GSR amplitude (-0.32), whereas a positive correlation was noted between BFP and mean handgrip strength (0.31) in hypothyroid patients. Conclusions The changes in BFP and autonomic function through GSR and HGS were evaluated in female hypothyroid patients with respect to healthy females. The interrelationship between anthropometry and autonomic function was also explored in this study. The findings of this study can augment prognosis in patients and ensure timely corrective treatment for improving quality of life.
ABSTRACT
Background The importance of measurements of body composition in terms of various indices including Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Surface Area (BSA), Body Size Index (BSI), and Waist to Height ratio (WtHR) in the diagnosis of health risks and mortality outcome analysis has largely been limited to their use relating to determining abdominal obesity. The understanding of the extent of implications of the newer, underutilized indices of body composition is deficient. Peak VO2 (maximal oxygen uptake) majorly serves for the evaluation of the measure of aerobic capacity. Grip strength performance is a simple, primary, objective predictor of overall physical status and muscular and cardiovascular fitness. This study aimed to derive the relationship between a gamut of parameters such as BMI, BSA, WtHR, BSI, grip strength performance and peak VO2 investigated using the latest scientific methodology in a cross-section of the population in a rural tertiary care center. Methodology This study was a descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out in a rural medical college in central India. Sixty participants from the healthcare setting were considered eligible for the study within the age group of 18 to 45 years. Anthropometric assessments like height (in cm), weight (in kg), waist circumference (in cm), and BMI were carried out. BSA, WtHR, and BSI were calculated using the respective formulae. VO2 max (maximal oxygen uptake) recordings were done using the treadmill/ergometer and metabolic module of LabChart software (Bella Vista, New South Wales, Australia). Grip Strength Performance was quantified by measuring the amount of static force with which the hand is able to squeeze a transducer. It was measured using Grip Force Transducer (MLT004 / ST) from AD Instruments (Bella Vista, New South Wales, Australia). Results Upon analysis, a signiï¬cant negative correlation was obtained between BSI and BMI (r= -0.51, p<0.0001) whereas a significant positive correlation was found between BSA and BMI (r= 0.71, p< 0.0001). A significant correlation was also seen between WtHR and BMI (r= 0.71, p< 0.0001) while a negative significant correlation between peak VO2 and BMI (r= -024,p=0.0425) was deduced. Similarly, a negative correlation was evident between BSA and BMI (r= -0.46, p=0.0002) with a positive correlation between WtHR and BSA (r= 0.30,p=0.0188). Grip strength performance positively correlated with BSA (r= 0.58, p< 0.0001) whereas peak VO2 showed a significant negative correlation with WtHR (r= -026,p=0.043). There was also a positive significant correlation between grip strength performance and peak VO2 (r= 0.37, p=0.0033) Conclusion The study determined the relationships of grip strength performance and peak VO2, with the body composition indices in order to provide an overview of the mortal risks of an individual which might mediate the prognosis. Based on the relative independence of BSI with peak VO2 and grip strength performance, the unification of these parameters can help assess the overall health of an individual.
