Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, ISSN - 0973 - 709X

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On Sep 2018




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Lucknow
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On Aug 2018




Dr. Arundhathi. S
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Dr. Arundhathi. S
MBBS, MD (Pathology),
Sanjay Gandhi institute of trauma and orthopedics,
Bengaluru.
On Aug 2018




Dr. Mamta Gupta,
"It gives me great pleasure to be associated with JCDR, since last 2-3 years. Since then I have authored, co-authored and reviewed about 25 articles in JCDR. I thank JCDR for giving me an opportunity to improve my own skills as an author and a reviewer.
It 's a multispecialty journal, publishing high quality articles. It gives a platform to the authors to publish their research work which can be available for everyone across the globe to read. The best thing about JCDR is that the full articles of all medical specialties are available as pdf/html for reading free of cost or without institutional subscription, which is not there for other journals. For those who have problem in writing manuscript or do statistical work, JCDR comes for their rescue.
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Reviewing articles is no less a pain staking process and requires in depth perception, knowledge about the topic for review. It requires time and concentration, yet I enjoy doing it. The JCDR website especially for the reviewers is quite user friendly. My suggestions for improving the journal is, more strict review process, so that only high quality articles are published. I find a a good number of articles in Obst. Gynae, hence, a new journal for this specialty titled JCDR-OG can be started. May be a bimonthly or quarterly publication to begin with. Only selected articles should find a place in it.
An yearly reward for the best article authored can also incentivize the authors. Though the process of finding the best article will be not be very easy. I do not know how reviewing process can be improved. If an article is being reviewed by two reviewers, then opinion of one can be communicated to the other or the final opinion of the editor can be communicated to the reviewer if requested for. This will help one’s reviewing skills.
My best wishes to Dr. Hemant Jain and all the editorial staff of JCDR for their untiring efforts to bring out this journal. I strongly recommend medical fraternity to publish their valuable research work in this esteemed journal, JCDR".



Dr. Mamta Gupta
Consultant
(Ex HOD Obs &Gynae, Hindu Rao Hospital and associated NDMC Medical College, Delhi)
Aug 2018




Dr. Rajendra Kumar Ghritlaharey

"I wish to thank Dr. Hemant Jain, Editor-in-Chief Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR), for asking me to write up few words.
Writing is the representation of language in a textual medium i e; into the words and sentences on paper. Quality medical manuscript writing in particular, demands not only a high-quality research, but also requires accurate and concise communication of findings and conclusions, with adherence to particular journal guidelines. In medical field whether working in teaching, private, or in corporate institution, everyone wants to excel in his / her own field and get recognised by making manuscripts publication.


Authors are the souls of any journal, and deserve much respect. To publish a journal manuscripts are needed from authors. Authors have a great responsibility for producing facts of their work in terms of number and results truthfully and an individual honesty is expected from authors in this regards. Both ways its true "No authors-No manuscripts-No journals" and "No journals–No manuscripts–No authors". Reviewing a manuscript is also a very responsible and important task of any peer-reviewed journal and to be taken seriously. It needs knowledge on the subject, sincerity, honesty and determination. Although the process of reviewing a manuscript is a time consuming task butit is expected to give one's best remarks within the time frame of the journal.
Salient features of the JCDR: It is a biomedical, multidisciplinary (including all medical and dental specialities), e-journal, with wide scope and extensive author support. At the same time, a free text of manuscript is available in HTML and PDF format. There is fast growing authorship and readership with JCDR as this can be judged by the number of articles published in it i e; in Feb 2007 of its first issue, it contained 5 articles only, and now in its recent volume published in April 2011, it contained 67 manuscripts. This e-journal is fulfilling the commitments and objectives sincerely, (as stated by Editor-in-chief in his preface to first edition) i e; to encourage physicians through the internet, especially from the developing countries who witness a spectrum of disease and acquire a wealth of knowledge to publish their experiences to benefit the medical community in patients care. I also feel that many of us have work of substance, newer ideas, adequate clinical materials but poor in medical writing and hesitation to submit the work and need help. JCDR provides authors help in this regards.
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In the era of fast growing newer technologies, and in computer and internet friendly environment the manuscripts preparation, submission, review, revision, etc and all can be done and checked with a click from all corer of the world, at any time. Of course there is always a scope for improvement in every field and none is perfect. To progress, one needs to identify the areas of one's weakness and to strengthen them.
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Every one of us: authors, reviewers, editors, and publisher are responsible for enhancing the stature of the journal. I wish for a great success for JCDR."



Thanking you
With sincere regards
Dr. Rajendra Kumar Ghritlaharey, M.S., M. Ch., FAIS
Associate Professor,
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Gandhi Medical College & Associated
Kamla Nehru & Hamidia Hospitals Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462 001 (India)
E-mail: drrajendrak1@rediffmail.com
On May 11,2011




Dr. Shankar P.R.

"On looking back through my Gmail archives after being requested by the journal to write a short editorial about my experiences of publishing with the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR), I came across an e-mail from Dr. Hemant Jain, Editor, in March 2007, which introduced the new electronic journal. The main features of the journal which were outlined in the e-mail were extensive author support, cash rewards, the peer review process, and other salient features of the journal.
Over a span of over four years, we (I and my colleagues) have published around 25 articles in the journal. In this editorial, I plan to briefly discuss my experiences of publishing with JCDR and the strengths of the journal and to finally address the areas for improvement.
My experiences of publishing with JCDR: Overall, my experiences of publishing withJCDR have been positive. The best point about the journal is that it responds to queries from the author. This may seem to be simple and not too much to ask for, but unfortunately, many journals in the subcontinent and from many developing countries do not respond or they respond with a long delay to the queries from the authors 1. The reasons could be many, including lack of optimal secretarial and other support. Another problem with many journals is the slowness of the review process. Editorial processing and peer review can take anywhere between a year to two years with some journals. Also, some journals do not keep the contributors informed about the progress of the review process. Due to the long review process, the articles can lose their relevance and topicality. A major benefit with JCDR is the timeliness and promptness of its response. In Dr Jain's e-mail which was sent to me in 2007, before the introduction of the Pre-publishing system, he had stated that he had received my submission and that he would get back to me within seven days and he did!
Most of the manuscripts are published within 3 to 4 months of their submission if they are found to be suitable after the review process. JCDR is published bimonthly and the accepted articles were usually published in the next issue. Recently, due to the increased volume of the submissions, the review process has become slower and it ?? Section can take from 4 to 6 months for the articles to be reviewed. The journal has an extensive author support system and it has recently introduced a paid expedited review process. The journal also mentions the average time for processing the manuscript under different submission systems - regular submission and expedited review.
Strengths of the journal: The journal has an online first facility in which the accepted manuscripts may be published on the website before being included in a regular issue of the journal. This cuts down the time between their acceptance and the publication. The journal is indexed in many databases, though not in PubMed. The editorial board should now take steps to index the journal in PubMed. The journal has a system of notifying readers through e-mail when a new issue is released. Also, the articles are available in both the HTML and the PDF formats. I especially like the new and colorful page format of the journal. Also, the access statistics of the articles are available. The prepublication and the manuscript tracking system are also helpful for the authors.
Areas for improvement: In certain cases, I felt that the peer review process of the manuscripts was not up to international standards and that it should be strengthened. Also, the number of manuscripts in an issue is high and it may be difficult for readers to go through all of them. The journal can consider tightening of the peer review process and increasing the quality standards for the acceptance of the manuscripts. I faced occasional problems with the online manuscript submission (Pre-publishing) system, which have to be addressed.
Overall, the publishing process with JCDR has been smooth, quick and relatively hassle free and I can recommend other authors to consider the journal as an outlet for their work."



Dr. P. Ravi Shankar
KIST Medical College, P.O. Box 14142, Kathmandu, Nepal.
E-mail: ravi.dr.shankar@gmail.com
On April 2011
Anuradha

Dear team JCDR, I would like to thank you for the very professional and polite service provided by everyone at JCDR. While i have been in the field of writing and editing for sometime, this has been my first attempt in publishing a scientific paper.Thank you for hand-holding me through the process.


Dr. Anuradha
E-mail: anuradha2nittur@gmail.com
On Jan 2020

Important Notice

Original article / research
Year : 2012 | Month : May | Volume : 6 | Issue : 3 | Page : 350 - 353 Full Version

Correlation Between Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Fat Percentage and Pulmonary Functions in Underweight, Overweight and Normal Weight Adolescents


Published: May 1, 2012 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.2062
Umesh Pralhadrao Lad, Vilas G. Jaltade, Shital Shisode-Lad, P. Satyanarayana

1. Assistant professor. Department of Physiology Konaseema Institute of medical Sciences, Amalapuram, E.G. Dist. (AP), India. 2. Professor, Department of Physiology, Govt. Medical College, Dhule (Maharashtra), India. 3. Jr. Resident,Department of OBGY, MKC Govt medical college, Barhampur (Orissa), India. 4. Professor, Department of Physiology, Konaseema Institute of medical Sciences, Amalapuram, E.G. Dist. (AP), India.

Correspondence Address :
Umesh Pralhadrao Lad
Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology,
Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences, Amalapuram,
East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Phone: 09293796193
E-mail: Umeshlad.res@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction: In India, undernutrition coexists with obesity, thus demonstrating a “double burden of the disease.” The effect of the increased BMI and the body fat percentage on the pulmonary functions has been studied extensively. The effect of undernutrition and mild weight gain on the pulmonary functions needs attention.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether there was any correlation between the Body Mass Index, Body Fat Percentage and FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75, in underweight, normal weight and overweight adolescents.

Materials and Methods: 180 students who consisted of 90 boys and 90 girls in the age group of 18 to 21 years, who were in three BMI ranges were enrolled. They were classified into underweight, normal weight and overweight groups according to the WHO guidelines. The body fat percentage was measured by using the bioelectric impedance method and FVC, FEV1and FEF25-75 were assessed by using MIR-SPIROLAB-II as per the ATS guidelines.

Results: The mean values of FVC and FEV1 were less in the underweight and overweight subjects and the difference was significant across the BMI ranges. The FEF25-75 values were low in the overweight than in the normal weight subjects. FVC, FEV1and FEF25-75 had a negative correlation with BMI and the body fat Percentage in males. The underweight males had a positive significant correlation between BMI, body fat percentage and FVC, FEV1and FEF25-75. In females, only FEF25-75 had a significant correlation with BMI and the body fat percentage.

Conclusion: There was a significant difference in the FVC, FEV1 and the FEF25-75 values between the underweight, normal weight and the overweight subjects. BMI as well as the body fat percentage had a significant negative correlation with FVC and FEV1 in the overweight group. A significant positive correlation was observed between BMI, body fat percentage and FCV and FEV1. Body fat percentage had a stronger correlation than BMI. FEF25-75 had a strong negative correlation with the body fat percentage only in the overweight group.

Keywords

BMI, Body Fat percentage, FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75

Introduction
Indo-Asian countries are now experiencing the unique challenge of a rapid rise in childhood obesity despite a persistently high burden of undernutrition (1). Undernutrition coexists with obesity, thus demonstrating a “double burden of the disease” (2). While the clinical complications of obesity such as diabetes, vascular disease, and osteoarthritis are well established, less emphasis is traditionally placed on the effects of obesity on the respiratory system (3). Obese and overweight people are at an increased risk of respiratory symptoms, such as breathlessness, particularly during exercise, even if they have no obvious respiratory illness. The association between obesity and asthma has also raised new concerns about whether the mechanical effects of obesity on the respiratory system contribute to airway dysfunction that could induce or worsen asthma (4).

Various studies have been done, which have shown the effect of severe and morbid obesity on the pulmonary functions (5),(6),(7),(8). Very few studies have been focused on the effect of moderate weight gain on the pulmonary functions (8),(9). The studies which have been done on the pulmonary functions in the undernourished population without any comorbidity are very few and there is a need to address this issue to understand the correlation betweenArticleBMI [Body Mass Index] and the pulmonary functions.

In the present study, we tried to investigate whether there was any correlation between BMI and the pulmonary functions in three ranges of BMI viz underweight, normal weight and overweight. In addition to this, we tried to check whether there was any correlation between the body fat percentages and the pulmonary functions in these three groups by doing a separate correlation.

Material and Methods

In this study, 180 subjects who consisted of 90 boys and 90 girls were enrolled from our institute. The study protocol was ethically approved by the institutional ethical committee and the informed consent of the volunteers was taken.

Experimental Protocol
This study was conducted on the first year and second year M.B.B.S. students from the institute during a three year period. The ages of the subjects were recorded from their date of birth in their school leaving certificates. All the participants were selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Students with cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, those who were on active treatment for respiratory tract infections, those who were involvedin active muscle training exercises and those who had a history of hypertension, diabetes and congenital anomalies were excluded from the study [6,10]. Students between the ages of 18-21 years, with a BMI of below 30, with no history of smoking and alcoholism were included in the study.

Measurement of the Anthropometric Parameters
The standing height of the subjects was measured with the same stadiometer, without footwear; to the nearest centimetre. Weight was measured, which was the nearest to 0.1 kg, with the subjects in the standing position, before lunch, with light clothes and without footwear, by using a standardized weighing scale (11). Body mass index [BMI] was calculated by using Quetlet’s index [body weight in kg/height in m2] (12). Depending on their BMI values, the subjects were classified into three groups. The subjects with a BMI value of less than 18.5 were classified as underweight, subjects with a BMI value between 18.5 to 24.99 [Kg/M2] were classified as the normal weight group and those who had a BMI value between 25 to 29.99 [Kg/M2] were classified as overweight (13). There were 30 boys and 30 girls in each group.

Measurement of the Body Fat Percentage
Body fat percentage was measured by the bioelectric impedance method by using an Omron hand held bioelectric impedance analyzer which measures the hand to hand impedance. The height, weight and age of the subjects were entered in the instrument, they were asked to hold the instrument in both hands and after that, the digital reading of the body fat percentage was recorded.

Measurement of the Pulmonary Functions
The pulmonary functions were measured by using a computerized portable spirometer MIR [Medical International Research] SPIROLAB II as per the ATS/ERS [American Thoracic Society/European respiratory Society] guidelines. The volunteers were asked to avoid beverages like tea, coffee and other stimulants and to report on a light breakfast. The pulmonary functions were recorded in the forenoon to avoid the diurnal variations. The subjects were demonstrated the FVC [Forced Vital Capacity] maneouver in spirometry.. After they were allowed to rest for 5–10 min and after educating them about the technique of FVC [maximum inhalation followed by maximum exhalation and this had to be sustained until they were asked to inhale again], the test was carried out in a private and quiet room, with the subjects in a standing position, with the nose clip held in position on the nose. The flow volume/time graphs were taken and best of the three acceptable curves was selected as the recording. The values of FVC [Forced Vital Capacity], FEV1 [Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second]and FEF 25-75 [Forced Expiratory Flow in 25-75% /Mid expiratory flow] were taken for the statistical analysis. The instrument was calibrated daily by using a 2 litre syringe (14).

Statistical methods
The data were expressed in mean±SD and they were analyzed by using the SPSS version 10 [Statistical Package for Social Sciences] statistical software, ANOVA correlations and the Z test. ANOVA was applied for the three groups of BMI in the entire study. FVC, FEV1 and FEF 25-75 were correlated with BMI and the body Fat Percentage. The significance level was set at p values which were < 0.05 and it was considered as significant.

Results

BMI and body fat percentage were significantly different in the underweight, normal weight and the overweight subjects, [p < 0.0001] (Table/Fig 1). There was a significant difference between the FVC, FEV1 and FVF 25-75 values across the three groups in both males and females (Table/Fig 2). In the underweight males, there was a positive correlation between body fat percentage and the FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75 values. In the normal weight males, there was a negative correlation between BMI and FEV1 as well as between BMI and FEF25-75. In the overweight males, BMI as well as the body fat percentage showed a significant negative correlation with the FVC, FEV1 and the FEF25-75 values (Table/Fig 3). In underweight females, BMI and the body fat percentage showed a significant positive correlation with FVC and FEV1. The normal weight females showed a significant positive correlation between BMI and FVC and FEF25-75 and between body fat percentage and FEF25-75. In overweight females, the correlation between BMI and FVC was positive, while the correlation between the body fat percentage and FEF25-75 was negative (Table/Fig 4).

Discussion

In this population based cross-sectional study, we investigated the correlation of the body mass index [BMI] and the body fat percentage with FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75, based on the hypothesis that not only an increase in the BMI but also a decrease in the BMI in the underweight population will lead to a decrement in the pulmonary functions. A reduction in the pulmonary functions might be associated with the body fat percentage rather than the BMI in the overweight population and with lack of energy in the underweight population. In this study, we made an attempt to find out whether there was an increased risk of asthma in the overweight population, as was determined by the mid-air flow rate which was assessed by FEF25-75.

There was a statistically significant reduction in the FVC and FEV1 values in the males and females of the three groups, with the least mean±SD values in the overweight population than in the underweight and the normal weight populations. The underweight males as well as females had lesser mean values of FVC and FEV1 as compared to those of their normal weight counterparts; thus suggesting that there was a decrease in the FVC and FEV1 values in the underweight and overweight populations.

BMI and FVC showed a significant negative correlation in the overweight males and females and the correlation was stronger in males than in females. The overweight males showed a significant negative correlation between body fat percentage and FVC. The overweight females showed no correlation, thus suggesting that the body fat had decreased the FVC values only in males and not in females of the overweight group. FEV1 showed a significant negative correlation with BMI and body fat percentage in the overweight males. The females of the overweight group showed no correlation between FEV1 and BMI. A non-significant negative correlation was found between FEV1 and body fat percentage. This also showed that the decrement of the pulmonary functions was more in males than in females due to their body fat distribution.

Our results were similar to the results of Farida M. El-Baz et al (15) and Wannamethee et al. (7) They found that BMI was inversely correlated with most of pulmonary function abnormalities. Low FVC, FEV1 values indicated a restrictive pulmonary defect. This could have been due to the mechanical limitation of the chest expansion, as the accumulation of excess fat could interfere with the movement of the chest wall and the descent of the diaphragm. This may reflect intrinsic changes within the lung in the presence ofobesity (15),(8). In addition, high amounts of fat mass and adiposity may be related to a greater degree of airway narrowing (7). The results of the present study matched with those of Joshi et al’s (10) and Collins et al’s (11) studies, who found that the increased body fat % in the males and females showed a negative correlation with FVC. The negative correlation of the increased percentage of body fat and FEV1 was observed only in males, as had been reported earlier (5), (16). The results of this study disagreed with those of Muralidhara’s and Bhat’s studies, who found no correlation between BMI, body fat percentage and the pulmonary functions (17).

The visceral adipose tissue influences the circulating concentrations of cytokines such as interleukin-6 and TNF-alpha (18), (19). A decreased level of adiponectin thereby increases the levels of systemic inflammation, which might in turn negatively affect the pulmonary functions (9) The airway calibre of the obese persons is reduced, for which the exact cause remains unknown, but the possible mechanism could be remodeling of the airway by pro-inflammatory adipokines and/or by the continuous opening and closing of small airways throughout the breathing cycle (20). In our study, we found that males had a more significant loss of the pulmonary functions than females and that the negative correlation between BMI, body fat percentage and pulmonary functions was stronger in males than in females. This association might be due to differences in the adiposity pattern of males and females. Males have a central obesity, while females have peripheral obesity. In central obesity, there is more visceral fat deposition; the visceral fat being metabolically more active than the peripheral fat, it will lead to more loss of pulmonary functions in addition to the mechanical restrictions (10),(11).

In the underweight population, the body fat and BMI showed a significant positive correlation with FVC and FEV1 in males as well as in females, thus stating that an improvement in the nutritional status of the underweight group could help in improving the pulmonary functions of the underweight population. Malnutrition unfavourably influences the lung functions by decreasing the respiratory muscle mass, strength, endurance and the defense mechanisms of the lung immune system. Muscle wasting leads to reduction in the diaphragmatic mass and a weaker respiratory muscle function diminishes the respiratory muscle strength and it changes the ventilator capacity (16). According to Fernando Sempertgui, vitamin A can be a link between the direct correlation between FEV1 and FVC in malnourished children (21). In our study, no participant was a diagnosed asthmatic. FEF 25-75 is an indicator of the mid expiratory flow rate and so, it was taken as a marker for obstructive lung diseases like asthma and COPD. We found a significant difference across the three BMI ranges, with the lowest mean values in overweight males and females;thus suggesting that they were prone to develop obstructive lung disease. Our results did not agree with the results of Wen Cho Ho et al. They found an inverse correlation between BMI and the pulmonary functions in females (22). We found a strong significant negative correlation in males and a non significant negative correlation in females. Our results agreed with those of El Helaly et al’s studies.. They also found an inverse correlation between BMI and FEF25-75. They further recommended that weight reduction would lead to a better asthma control (23).

The limitation of the present study was in its design. This was a cross-sectional study which was carried out in a small group in a single institute. A longitudinal multi-centric study in a larger population is needed. We measured the fat percentage by the bioelectric impedance method which measured the total body fat but it failed to measure the distribution of the fat. A better method which could measure both the total body fat and the distribution of the body fat could have been more appropriate and it could help in a clear understanding of the association.

Conclusion

BMI and body fat percentage were negatively correlated with FVC and FEV1 in males and females of the overweight group. The underweight group showed a positive correlation with FVC and FEV1. The body fat percentage had a stronger correlation than BMI, thus suggesting that body fat percentage was a major determinant of the reduced pulmonary functions in overweight and obesity than in BMI. FEF25-75 had a strong negative correlation with the body fat percentage only in the overweight group. Our findings suggest that there is significant impairment of the pulmonary functions in the overweight and underweight populations and that the possibility of small airway disease is higher in the overweight group.

References

1.
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DOI and Others

DOI: JCDR/2012/4062:2062

Financial OR OTHER COMPETING INTERESTS:
None.
Date of Submission: Jan 28, 2012
Date of Peer Review: Mar 04, 2012
Date of Acceptance: Mar 22, 2012
Date of Publishing: May 01, 2012

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