Peculiarities of head size, total and longitudinal body dimensions in Ukrainian men and women with multiple sclerosis

Annotation. Understanding the anthropometric characteristics of patients with multiple sclerosis is important for identifying potential links between somatotype and the course of the disease. The study of parameters such as head size, total and longitudinal body dimensions is important given the prevalence and severity of multiple sclerosis. This may improve the approach to the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients with multiple sclerosis. The aim of the study is to establish the characteristics and gender differences in cephalometric indicators, total and longitudinal body dimensions in young Ukrainian men and women with multiple sclerosis. Cephalometric indicators, total and longitudinal body dimensions were determined in 35 Ukrainian men and 59 young women with multiple sclerosis with mild, moderate and moderately severe disorders. As a control group, similar anthropometric indicators of 82 practically healthy Ukrainian men and 101 young women were taken from the data bank of the National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya Research Center. Statistical analysis was performed in the licensed statistical package “Statistica 6.0” using non-parametric evaluation methods. In all groups of sick men and women, smaller values of the greatest head width and sagittal arc and larger values of the greatest head length were established compared to practically healthy men or women. In sick men with mild and moderately severe disorders, as well as in sick women of the general group and moderate disorders, larger values of mass and body surface area were established compared to practically healthy men or women. In most groups of sick men and women, higher values of the height of the suprasternal, acromial and finger anthropometric points and lower values of the height of the pubic and acetabular anthropometric points were established compared to practically healthy men or women, which, against the background of the practical absence of body length differences between healthy and sick men or women, indicate a more elongated torso and shorter lower limbs (a manifestation of a “subpathological” constitutional type). Only single reliable or trends in the above body dimensions were established between sick men or women. Pronounced manifestations of sexual dimorphism were established for most cephalometric dimensions, total and longitudinal body dimensions between men with multiple sclerosis (larger values) and women.