Raghavendra Sherikar

Abstract

Aims: To study the effect of body compositions such as BMI, waist hip ratio, body fat composition on lung function and also to correlate any changes with gender difference. Materials and Methods: A total of 164 medical students aged 18-23 years were taken into study. Height, weight, waist hip ratio (WtHR), Body M ass Index (BMI), were recorded. Body fat composition was analysed using Omron Karada scan – body composition monitor model HBF- 375. Vital capacity was estimated using spirometer. Data was analyzed statistically by using SPSS 20.0 software. Results: Lung function assessed as vital capacity index (VCI) was negatively correlated (r with VAT, SAT, BMI, WtHR, BFP for both male and females. Body anthropometric measurements like waist to hip ratio(WtHR), BMI and lung function tests like vital cap a city index (VCI) are more in males. Where as females have higher body fat percentage (BFP). and Subcutaneous.adipose tissue (ScAT). There was no much significant difference in Intra abdominal adipose tissue(IAAT) in males and females. Conclusion: There was a inverse correlation between lung function with fat accumulation in the body. Keywords: Body fat, Vital capacity index, Body mass index, Waist Hip ratio, Medical students.

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Abstract

Introduction: Many aspects of airway functions are controlled by autonomic nerves. Bronchospasm, airway edema and excessive mucus secretion may occur due to abnormality in autonomic regulation of airways. All these events lead to airway obstruction in bronchial asthma. Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the autonomic functions between bronchial asthma patients and normal controls. Materials and Methods: As per American Thoracic Society guidelines thirty bronchial asthma patients in the age group of 18-50 years were chosen. Thirty age and sex matched controls were chosen for comparison. Standardized autonomic function tests were done. Statistical analysis was done using students unpaired t’ test. Results: Significantly higher basal heart rate was found in asthmatics in comparison with controls. Parasympathetic function tests showed significantly higher values in asthmatics compared with controls. Statistically significant difference is also found in the sympathetic function tests between asthmatics and normal controls. Conclusion: Our study shows that autonomic dysfunction is present in asthmatic patients. Parasympathic activity is enhanced in asthmatics, thus supporting the hypothesis of enhanced parasympathetic reactivity as an integral factor in pathophysiology of bronchial asthma. Keywords: Bronchial asthma, Autonomic dysfunction, Parasympathetic tests, Sympathetic tests.

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