Girth body dimensions in Ukrainian men and women with multiple sclerosis

Annotation. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, accompanied by a wide range of neurological disorders. Somatic characteristics of patients, in particular anthropometric indicators, can play a role in the clinical course of the disease and its prognosis. The study of body composition in patients of different sexes allows us to identify potential gender features that can be useful for a personalized approach to diagnosis and treatment. The relevance of the study is due to the need for a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between somatotypological parameters and neurodegenerative processes. The aim of the study is to establish the characteristics and gender differences in body circumference dimensions in young Ukrainian men and women with multiple sclerosis with varying degrees of disability. Body circumference dimensions were determined in 35 Ukrainian men and 59 young women with multiple sclerosis with mild, moderate and moderately severe impairments. The initial body circumference dimensions of 82 practically healthy Ukrainian men and 101 women of similar age were taken from the data bank of the National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya Research Center. Statistical analysis was performed in the “Statistica 6.0” license package using non-parametric evaluation methods. When comparing body circumference dimensions between practically healthy men or women and those with multiple sclerosis, numerous significant or trends in differences were established: in all groups of sick men and women – larger values of the circumferences of the forearm and lower leg and foot; in all groups of male patients – larger values of the upper arm circumference; in all groups of patients and women – larger values of the hand, waist and chest circumferences on exhalation; in most groups of male and female patients – larger values of other girth sizes of the upper, lower limbs and trunk. Between male or female patients with multiple sclerosis, numerous significant or trends of differences were established only for the girths of the upper limb and trunk in men (smaller values in patients with moderate disorders compared to mild and moderately severe disorders). Between male and female patients with multiple sclerosis, pronounced manifestations of sexual dimorphism of all girth sizes of the upper limbs and trunk were established (significantly larger values in male patients of the general group, with mild and moderately severe disorders).