Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
Pulmonary function tests like Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) are significant long‐standing predictors of physical fitness in both genders and help in diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases. Lung function is known to differ with age, gender, race, Body Mass Index, socioeconomic factors, geographical region etc. Corona virus infection primarily affects the lungs and studies have shown a decline in lung function in post covid patients. The objective of the present study is to find the variation of PEFR with gender, BMI and previous covid infection among medical students. The study was conducted among 101 students in the age group 18‐25 yrs in a medical college in Kerala. PEFR was measured using Wright’s peak flow meter. Anthropometric measurements were done to calculate BMI. Questionnaire was used to collect details of age, gender and history of covid infection. Mean PEFR was found to be lower in females than in males. (females‐309.3L min: males‐517L/min) This relation was statistically significant. (P = 0.000). Mean PEFR in underweight participants was lower than participants with normal BMI (under weight‐347.2L/min; Normal BMI‐362.3L/min). Mean PEFR in participants with history of covid infection was lower than those without previous covid infection (with history of covid infection‐363.33L/min; no history of covid infection‐375.41L/min). Peak Expiratory Flow Rate is significantly lower in females than males. Mean PEFR is less in underweight and in those with history of covid infection.
How to cite this article:
Cinthya C. Das, P. Leena, Sunayana Mathew and Anju Susan Alex. Effect of Gender Body Mass Index and Previous History of Covid Infection on Peak Expiratory Flow
Rate.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.59218/makrjms.2024.4.50.54
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.59218/makrjms.2024.4.50.54