Comparative study to evaluate the relationship of dysmenorrhoea and body mass index in medical students

Abstract

Primary dysmenorrhoea is one of the most common medical disorder in young females that affects their quality of life and it is one of the leading causes of repeated absenteeism. Because of the high prevalence of dysmenorrhoea in females in our society, this study was taken up.Ninety age (18-20yrs) and sex matched medical students of same ethnic group and socioeconomic status were selected. Demographic data were collected through a standard questionnaire. BMI was calculated from height and weight. The subjects were divided into six groups depending on their BMI values. Control group consisted of group I (BMI<18.5) and II (BMI18.5-24.9). The data of overweight subjects (BMI=25-30, Group III) and obese subjects (BMI>30, Groups IV –VI) were pooled together as obese group. Data were statistically analyzed by Pearson Chi-square test and Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA). The mean age at which menarche was attained by the subjects was 12+2 yrs. Many (75%) of the subjects experienced dysmenorrhea and majority (60%) of the subjects with dysmenorrhoea had normal menstrual cycles and 85% of them had no physical activity. A significant positive correlation between dysmenorrhea and physical inactivity was obtained (p<0.05) and there was no significant correlation between BMI and dysmenorrhea in both the groups (p>0.05).