Association of blood groups with body mass index in medical students

Association of blood groups with body mass index in medical students

Introduction

Blood is a significant fluid of the human body that is responsible for the flow of essential nutrients, hormones, enzymes, as well as oxygen in our body [1]. The term blood group discusses the complete blood group system that contains red blood cell antigens, a series of allelic genes or linked genes controls the specificity of blood group system. Blood type refers to the precise pattern of reactions to test antisera in the specific system [2]

In the 20^th century, many types of blood groups were identified but ABO, as well as Rhesus (Rh), are the most important blood groups. Human blood groups were discovered for the first time by Karl Landsteiner at the University of Vienna in 1901 [3]. Rh blood group was found in 1941 by Weiner and Landsteiner. ABO blood groups, as well as Rhesus, are significant for blood transfusions. Blood groups are essential for blood transfusions, organ transplantation. Blood groups antigens can be used in forensic pathology, genetic research and anthropology [4]. ABO gene is autosomal, and its locus is present on chromosome 9. Distribution of blood groups varies from country to country. Mostly, Blood group O is highly prevalent, while AB is rare [5].

ABO is essential as well as practical for transplantation and transfusion among 33 blood group systems. Any human being whose age is above six months clinically possess specific antibodies    (anti-B as well as anti-A) in serum. Blood group B contains antibody against blood group A while blood group A contains antibody against blood group B. While blood group O comprises no antigens, but it contains antibodies of both blood groups A and B [6]

BMI and ABO blood groups are risk factors for many diseases. Many studies have been accompanied to examine whether carrying specific blood group antigen influences one to increased BMI. There were different conclusions from these studies. Results of some studies presented that blood group is associated with BMI. [7] ABO blood group, as well as BMI, are risk factors for some diseases. It is necessary to study the association between BMI and blood group antigen. In a study, the prevalence of obesity, blood type O, and Rh was observed in students. Obesity was highly prevalent in female students as compared to male students [8]. In research, it is discovered that high BMI was associated with AB Rh-negative. It was suggested to AB Rh-negative holders that they should pay attention to their body weight. [9]

A study was conducted to find out the correlation between ABO blood groups and BMI in medical students. Students with blood group B were patients of hypertension due to high BMI. In this study,  BMI and blood B were positively associated. In contrast, BMI and blood group A were negatively associated[10] some researchers claimed that persons with Blood group B are more susceptible to high BMI in comparison to other blood groups.[11]

The aim of the current study is to examine the association between Body mass index and blood groups in medical students. The results of this study are analyzed by comparing the results with other relevant researches.

References:

1. Tesfaye K, Petros Y, Andargie M. Frequency distribution of ABO and Rh (D) blood group alleles in Site Zone, Ethiopia. Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics. 2015;16(1):71-76.

2. Owen R. Karl Landsteiner and the first human marker locus. 2000;155:995–8.

3. Landsteiner K. Über Agglutinationserscheinungen normalen menschlichen Blutes. In: Harper PS(ed). Landmarks in Medical Genetics. Oxford University Press, Oxford 1901; 112–114.

4. R. Hemalatha VB. Frequency and Distribution of Blood Groups Among Medical Students in Davanagere. J Pub Health Med Res 2015:1-4.

5. Hsiao L, Liu N, You S, Hwang L. ABO blood group and the risk of cancer among middle-aged people in Taiwan. Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2014;11(4):e31-e36.
6. Lögdberg L, Reid ME, Lamont RE, Zelinski T. Human blood group genes 2004: Chromosomal locations and cloning strategies. Transfus Med Rev. 2005;19:45–57
7. Jafari E., Sebghatollahi V., Kolahdoozan S., Elahi E., Pourshams A. Body mass index and ABO blood groups among different ethnicities of the Golestan cohort study subjects. Govaresh. 2012
8. Smith S, Okai I, Abaidoo C, Acheampong E. Association of ABO Blood Group and Body Mass Index: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Ghanaian Population. 2020
9. .Nas S, Fışkın R. A research on relationship between ABO blood groups and body mass index among Turkish seafarers. International Maritime Health. 2017;68(3):140-146.
10. Bhattacharyya, S. & Bolumbu, Ganaraja & Bhat, M.. (2010). Correlation between the blood groups, BMI and pre-hypertension among medical students. Journal of Chinese Clinical Medicine. 5. 78-82.

11. Ainee A, Hussain S, Kauser T, et al. Studies on Comparison of Body Mass Index (BMI) of School Going Children Having Different Blood Groups (A, B, Ab and O) of Sargodha District. Pakistan J Nutr. 2014; 13(3): 164–167.