Relative Leg Length as a Risk Factor for Hypertension and Diabetes in Egyptian Adults

Abstract

Introduction: Studies from developed societies have shown that individuals with short legs relative to height have higher risk of association with the components of the metabolic syndrome such as glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and hypertension. This has been much less explored in Egypt where influences of relative leg length may differ. Aim: To evaluate the impact of relative leg length on the presence of Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes in a sample of Egyptian adults. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on 4308 Egyptian adults aged between 20 and 75 years. The study evaluated the presence of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes and hypertension. The study compared anthropometric parameters in both sexes according to leg length index, using one-way ANOVA for multiple comparisons among the groups followed by independent t-test. Chi-square or Fisher’s-exact test were used for comparison of the qualitative data. Correlations were done using Pearson correlation. Results: Hypertension was more prevalent in cases with low leg index than with high leg length in both sexes. Significant negative correlations between leg length index and blood pressure levels were also observed. Conclusion: The study emphasises the potential correlation between leg length and leg length index, anthropometric parameters, body composition and hypertension among Egyptians. The study suggests that the analysis of both anthropometric measurements and body composition might be clinically important for the estimation of risk factors for type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Keywords

• height
• high blood pressure
• hyperglycaemia
• sitting height