Assessment of Cormic Index and other Anthropometric Parameters of young adults with Sickle Cell Anaemia in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract This study assessed the effect of Haemoglobin SS (Hb SS) on cormic index and some other body anthropometric indices among students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. A total of 100 young adults (18–40 years) participated in the study. They were classified into two groups; 50 cases (participants with Hb SS) and 50 control (participants with Hb AA) which were purposively selected after haemoglobin typing using electrophoresis method. The cases and controls were age-and sex-matched. The weight, sitting and standing height were measured by using Seca stadiometer-model 216 following standard protocol. Cormic index (CI%) was calculated using sitting height x 100/ standing height while the body mass index (BMI) and body surface area were calculated using Keys and Mosteller formulae respectively. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and alpha value was set at p < 0.05. The mean values of weight in kg [54.39 ± 5.54 vs 60.48 ± 8.65 (t=- 4.195, p < 0.001], body mass index in kg/m2 [19.58 ± 2.08 vs 21.48 ± 2.91 (t = 6.068; p < 0.001)], cormic index in % [44.71 ± 6.05 vs 50.03 ± 1.33 (t = -3.760; p < 0.001)], subischial leg length in cm [92.22 ± 10.76 vs 83.84 ± 4.41 (p < 0.001; t = 5.092)] and body surface area in m2 [1.59 ± 0.09 vs 1.68 ± 0.14 (p < 0.001, t = -3.798)] of cases were significantly different from those of controls respectively. In conclusion, this study showed that Hb SS is associated with lower weight, sitting height, BMI, BSA and cormic index but higher subischial leg length when compared with Hb AA.