Dominance of Carrying Angle in Right-hand among Dental Students of a Teaching Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION

Carrying angle is an acute angle formed between extended arm and forearm when palm is directed forward. This angle is formed due to the angulation of the articulating surfaces of the humerus with the forearm. The angle is greater in dominant hand than in non-dominant hand in both males and females. Thus, this study aims to measure the carrying angle and find the prevalence of dominance of the carrying angle in the right-hand among dental students.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 138 students with the age ranging from 18-23 years in a teaching hospital. Ethical clearance was taken from Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 28/021) of a tertiary dental college and teaching hospital. Convenience sampling was done. Carrying angle was measured in right and left-hands of students with the help of a goniometer. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0 was used for data analysis. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and percentage for binary data.

RESULTS

Among 138 students, the dominance of carrying angle in right-hand was found in 107 (77.53%) (70.56-84.49 at 95% Confidence Interval). Prevalence of greater value of carrying angle in right-hand was found in 71 (78.88% ) female and 36 (75%) male students.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of dominance of the carrying angle in the right-hand among dental students was lower than the other studies done in similar settings.

KEYWORDS

elbow; hand; humerus.