How to Cite
Abstract
Background: To determine the demographic
characteristics of patients in various BMI groups and the
impact of individual BMI group on the utility of transthoracic
echocardiography .
Methods: This prospective observational study was
conducted at KRL Hospital, Islamabad from Dec 1, 2006 to
Apr 30, 2007. 224 patients, 52% males with mean age 51.4
years (SD±17.23) referred for trans-thoracic
echocardiography were studied. All patients had their BMI
calculated and test indication, details of echocardiography
findings and final conclusion recorded.
Results: Forty nine percent of the study population was
overweight and obese with female predominance (59%).
The normal and underweight people were significantly
younger in age (p<0.001) and were mainly referred for
assessment of heart murmur. The overweight and obese
were referred mainly for assessment of LV function and
had significantly high number of poor technical quality
echo images (p<0.001). In total 54% of the echocardiograms
were normal. Relatively more normal results were
obtained in overweight & obese (59%) as compared to
normal & underweight people (50%). Obesity was more
prevalent in female gender. Both the subgroups
(normal/underweight & overweight/obese) used the
echocardiography service equally.
Conclusion: The high number of normal
echocardiograms in overweight & obese people who were
mainly referred for assessment of LV function appears to
be an inappropriate burden on echocardiography service.
Assessment of heart murmur in normal and underweight
population is probably due to high prevalence of
rheumatic fever in our country.