Gender-wise comparison of de novo health problems in employees of a tertiary care hospital aged ≥40 years – The importance of general health checkups

Background: Health checkups are the preventive ways to help one understand the possibility of the onset of medical conditions, which can help in the deferment of many diseases. The present study was undertaken to screen and compare the health status of male and female employees of a tertiary care hospital aged ≥40 years to identify their de nov o health problems. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted with 487 employees of our hospital aged ≥40 years from November 2019 to February 2020. Study procedures included hemogram, fasting plasma glucose, fasting lipid profile, thyroid profile, renal function test, electrocardiogram, and abdominal ultrasound for both genders. For female employees, additionally, mammogram, and pap smear were performed. A comparison was made between male and female employees. Results: A total of 487 hospital employees were studied. Overweight and obesity were observed significantly higher among female employees ( p = 0.002). Female employees had significantly lower hemoglobin levels ( p < 0.0001). Male employees showed a higher incidence of electrocardiographic abnormalities ( p = 0.04). Renal calculi, renal parenchymal disease changes, and splenomegaly were significantly higher in male employees than females. Mammographic results revealed that one subject was diagnosed with BIRADS-4, which indicates suspected malignancy. Among the de novo medical problems identified, anemia was significantly higher among female employees, while hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia were considerably higher among male employees. Conclusion: This study has proved that general health checkups (GHCs) are essential to all, irrespective of gender. More importantly, these GHCs are vital for women in early diagnosis of cancers, anemia, and hypothyroidism and appropriately treat them.