The Frequency of Inguinal Hernia in Relation to BMI at Altibri Medical College and Hospital: A Cross Sectional Study

Objective: Inguinal hernia is the most widespread hernia of abdominal wall. Hernia is a common condition affecting both men and women since time immemorial. The aim of the study is to determine the frequency of bilateral or unilateral inguinal hernias in normal and low Basal Metabolic Index (BMI). Methodology: This cross sectional study by using non-probability convenient sampling technique was carried out at Al-Tibri medical college and hospital, Karachi. The ethical approval for the study was taken from Institutional Research and Ethical Committee. An informed consent was taken from the patients and guardian. A total of 82 patients were selected for these studies in which78 were male and 4 were female. Inclusion criteria were based on the patient aged above 35 of either gender with complained of pain in groin region with clinical findings like swelling and tenderness, being an overweight and the labor that lifts heavy weight were also included in this study. However, the patient aged below 20 years with muscular pain in groin region without swelling were excluded from this study. Results: In a total of 82 patients diagnosed with inguinal hernia on clinical basis, the mean age was 45.95 +/- 17.56 years. The mean height was 66.87 +/- 3.77 inches. The mean weight was 61.90 +/- 8.61 kgs. The mean BMI was 21.53 +/- 2.56 kg/m2. Gender was male in 78(95.1%) and female in 4(4.9%). Diagnosis was right inguinal hernia in 34(41.5%), left inguinal hernia in 34(41.5%) and bilateral inguinal hernia in 14(17.1%). BMI was normal in 68(82.9%) and low in 14(17.1%). This indicated that in our study the patients with normal BMI were more likely to suffer from inguinal hernia as compared to the patients having low BMI. Conclusion: It was concluded in our study that the frequency of inguinal hernia (unilateral or bilateral) varies with the body mass index. Normal body mass index of male having a more chances of inguinal hernias than low body mass index. It was observed that the frequency of unilateral right inguinal hernia is more than bilateral. Similarly, males are more affected than females.