Predictive Role of Hand Dimensions in Stature Estimation Among Medical Students

Background:
Stature or body height is one of the important and useful anthropometric
parameters that determine the physical identity of an individual. The
present study was undertaken to set up a standard formula to estimate
stature from different hand dimensions.

Objective:
To find out the variations of different hand anthropometric dimensions
and their relationship with stature among the students of both sexes of
Rangpur Medical College.

Methods:
This cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted in the Department
of Anatomy, Rangpur Medical College, Rangpur, from January 2018 to
December 2018. 700 medical students (350 male and 350 females)
were included in this study.

Results:
Stature had significant correlation with all hand dimensions in both
male and female students. In male, highest correlation (0.995) was
found for right palm length, right thumb length, left thumb length, left
ring finger and lowest correlation (0.983) was found for right wrist
circumference. On the other hand, in female, highest correlation was
found for arm span (0.989) and lowest correlation was found for right
palm length (0.968), the correlation was more prominent in male
student.

Conclusion:
Hand dimensions can be successfully used for estimating stature.
Multiplication factors are applicable to the population from which it is
calculated. So, there is need to calculate multiplication factors for each
parameter in every ethnic region and race.
institutions.