Trends in Clinical and Medical Sciences

Case-control research on the impact of body mass index (BMI) on the occurrence of ulcers in venous disease patients

Dr. Asha Jyothi\(^{1}\), Dr. Raghavendra Srikanth B\(^{2,*}\) and Dr. V. Tharun\(^{3}\)
\(^{1}\) Assistant Professor, Department of General Surgery, Alluri Sitarama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences Eluru 534005, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA.
\(^{2}\) Assistant Professor, Department of General Surgery, Alluri Sitarama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences, Eluru 534005, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA.
\(^{3}\) Final year Postgraduate, Department of General Surgery, Alluri Sitarama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences Eluru-534005, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA.
Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Raghavendra Srikanth B at vlnvraju@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: To identify and address the factors which lead to ulceration in patients with chronic venous disease is essential to prevent progression of disease. Obesity is one such controversial factor. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of body mass index on the development of ulceration in patients with venous disease. We also analysed other risk factors that might lead to progression of disease to ulceration.
Aim and objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of Body Mass Index on the occurrence of ulceration in venous disease patients.
Methods: This prospective case-control study was carried out at ASRAM Medical College, Eluru, AP in the general surgery department. Every patient who participated in the trial had a venous duplex that was documented as having venous insufficiency. A comparison of 130 cases with venous ulcers that were either active or healed and 130 controls without ulcers was conducted. A survey was given out to examine the variables affecting the likelihood of acquiring an ulcer. The clinical class of venous illness was identified after a clinical evaluation of the patients. Using standardised equipment, the patient’s height, weight, and body mass index(BMI) were measured.
Results: The study’s sample’s mean BMI was 29.04 pounds. 260 individuals were enrolled, and 38.8% of them were obese and another 38.8% were overweight. Inactive or healed ulcers were present in 45.5% of the obese patients. Patients with recurrent ulcers made up 77.8% of the population and were either overweight or obese. However, there was no statistically significant difference when comparing the body mass index between the cases and controls. A strong connection between ulceration in venous disease and older age, male gender, deep vein thrombosis, and prolonged durations of standing was discovered by multivariate analysis.
Conclusion: According to our study, there is no connection between body mass index and ulceration in venous disease patients. Venous ulceration is linked to advanced age, male gender, deep vein thrombosis, and periods of extended standing. However, the researchers did take into account the likelihood that overweight individuals may have a different pathophysiology of venous illness, and as a result, they concluded that venous duplex alone might not be a sufficient diagnostic tool for selecting obese patients for subsequent trials. In order to establish obesity as a risk factor for ulcers, we suggest that additional research be conducted in this area and that obese individuals in the control group be monitored to see if they experience ulcers in the future.

Keywords:

Chronic venous disease; Body mass index; Obesity; Venous duplex.