Research Information System
Türkiye Klinikleri Cardiovascular Sciences, vol.21, no.2, pp.147-152, 2010 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
ABSTRACT Objective: The ratio between the length of the 2nd and 4th digits is negatively related to testosteron and prenatal levels of testosterone have been implicated in myocardial infarction (MI). Neck circumference, a simple and time-saving screening measure to identify obesity is positively correlated to
increase the risk of coronary heart disease. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between
the length ratio from index to ring finger, neck circumference and the risk of acute myocardial infarction
(AMI). Material and Methods: This study was conducted, the patients who diagnosed with AMI and, who
arrived to the emergency room with other reasons at the same time, from 01.01.2006 through 31.12.2007,
retrospectively. The finger ratios, neck circumference and body mass index (BMI) of 142 men and 66 women, all of whom are heterosexual and aged between 23-77, were recorded. Results: This study shows that
the neck circumference is significantly larger in patients who underwent AMI than who did not. The neck
circumferences of male patients with MI were found to be significantly larger than those of female patients.
No significant relationship was observed between the neck circumference and the finger ratios of both
hands of AMI patients. There was no sex difference in MI patients between finger ratios of the both hands.
There were no significant relationship between the MI patients and the control group when they compared their right and the left hand’s finger ratios. The male patients who had the higher right finger ratios has
larger neck circumference than those of lower ratio male patients. There was no significant difference between the average BMI of MI patients and those of normal controls, altough there was a positive correlation between neck circumference and BMI. Conclusion: According to our results, it might be advisable to
use neck circumference to determine the risk of AMI, however, finger ratios is not appropriate for this purpose.
Key Words: Neck, body mass index, myocardial infarction, anthropometry