Body Mass Index as a Determinant of Inguinal Hernia Type: A Clinical Analysis
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Abstract
Background: Inguinal hernias are among the most frequent conditions encountered surgically worldwide. It is hypothesized that body mass index (BMI) is involved in the occurrence and distribution pattern of types of hernias, yet the relationship is debated. Objectives: This study sought to establish the relationship between the type of inguinal hernia and BMI and determine the significance of age and sex as covariates. The research question addressed was: Does BMI strongly predict the occurrence of direct inguinal hernia against the occurrence of indirect inguinal hernia in adults? Methods: An observational retrospective study was carried out between January 2024 and September 2025 at Karuna Medical College, located at Vilayodi, Chittur, Palakkad. The research signed up a total of 54 adult patients with unilateral inguinal hernia. The demographic and anthropometric information was extracted from medical records and then entered into Microsoft Excel 2016 and statistical analysis was carried out using R Studio. Analytical methods applied included descriptive statistics, the Mann–Whitney U test, chi-square test, Spearman correlation, and logistic regression analysis. Results: Cohort age was 56.84 ± 14.84 years and BMI was 24.41 ± 3.08 kg/m². Direct hernia was dominant (55.56%) over indirect hernia (44.44%). Significant difference in BMI was observed between direct and indirect hernia groups (p=0.0281). Logistic regression established BMI as an independent correlate of direct hernia (OR=1.29, 95% CI: 1.04–1.59, p=0.0205). No significant correlation was noted between type of hernia and age and sex. Conclusion: Increased BMI was strongly associated with direct inguinal hernia, and it suggests broader body weight distribution as a probable dominant factor amongst patients for this subtype. These findings highlight the importance of considering the BMI for risk stratification and preoperative evaluation of patients with hernias. Large-scale, multicentric studies are recommended for strengthening the evidence.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Palaniappan Swaminathan, Sukanya M, Sanjeedh Ahamed, Swathi, Ameega Fathima, Fathima Basheer
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Creative Commons License All articles published in Annals of Medicine and Medical Sciences are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Palaniappan Swaminathan, Department of General Surgery, Karuna Medical College, Vilayodi, Chittur, Palakkad, Kerala, 678103, India.
Department of General Surgery, Karuna Medical College, Vilayodi, Chittur, Palakkad, Kerala, 678103, India.
Sukanya M, Department of General Surgery, Karuna Medical College, Vilayodi, Chittur, Palakkad, Kerala, 678103, India.
Department of General Surgery, Karuna Medical College, Vilayodi, Chittur, Palakkad, Kerala, 678103, India.
Sanjeedh Ahamed, CRMI, General Surgery, Karuna Medical College, Vilayodi, Chittur, Palakkad, Kerala, 678103, India.
CRMI, General Surgery, Karuna Medical College, Vilayodi, Chittur, Palakkad, Kerala, 678103, India.
Swathi, Data Analyst & Statistician, Department of Medical Research, Karuna Medical College, Vilayodi, Chittur, Palakkad, Kerala, 678103, India.
Data Analyst & Statistician, Department of Medical Research, Karuna Medical College, Vilayodi, Chittur, Palakkad, Kerala, 678103, India.
Ameega Fathima, Final Year MBBS Student, Karuna Medical College, Vilayodi, Chittur, Palakkad, Kerala, 678103, India.
Final Year MBBS Student, Karuna Medical College, Vilayodi, Chittur, Palakkad, Kerala, 678103, India.
Fathima Basheer, Final Year MBBS Student, Karuna Medical College, Vilayodi, Chittur, Palakkad, Kerala, 678103, India.
Final Year MBBS Student, Karuna Medical College, Vilayodi, Chittur, Palakkad, Kerala, 678103, India.
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