Investigation of the Sonographic Association Between Body Mass Index and Anterior Abdominal Wall Hernias: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Background and Aim: Abdominal wall hernias are a common abdominal condition that affect about 4–5% of people worldwide. They are among the most frequent causes of urgent surgery for individuals older than 50. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between BMI, a commonly used body composition measure, and sonographic evidence of anterior abdominal wall hernias. The purpose of this study was to find out the sonographic association of anterior abdominal wall hernias with body mass index (BMI). Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Radiology at Chughtai Medical Centre (Johar Town), Lahore, Pakistan. The study sample was two hundred patients of various age groups. The inclusion criteria for data collection was patients coming into the hospital for abdominal ultrasonography with or without the symptoms of hernia. The collection of data was done through a questionnaire while the analysis was done using SPSS version 25. Results: Among the 200 patients, 24 (12%) were identified with anterior abdominal wall hernias. The most common type of hernia was para-umbilical (13 cases, 6.5%), followed by umbilical (6 cases, 3%). Among the 135 females, 19 (14.07%) had hernias, compared to only 5 (7.69%) of the 65 males. Although females had a higher frequency of hernias, the relationship between gender and hernia occurrence was not statistically significant (p = 0.1944). Similarly, the obese group had more hernias (11 cases, 9.32%) than the non-obese group (13 cases, 6.5%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.6087). Advanced age was a significant risk factor, with the highest prevalence seen in patients aged 40 to 65. Conclusion: The study concludes that elevated BMI and advanced age are significant risk factors associated with an increased incidence of anterior abdominal wall hernias. These findings highlight the importance of targeted interventions, such as weight management and regular monitoring for high-risk populations, to mitigate the occurrence and severity of hernias. Additionally, the study emphasizes the value of sonographic evaluations in identifying hernia types and guiding clinical decisions, especially in populations with high BMI.