Sex Determination by Analysis of Patella Measurements in New Delhi Population

In this study the patella bones from both right and left sides were taken out of 60 individuals (30 males and 30 females). Bones were kept in 5% sodium hypochlorite solution for a week for maceration, and then dried and following measurements were taken: Maximum Length, Maximum Width, Maximum Thickness and Lateral Articular Facet Breadth in millimeters, and Weight in grams. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 27.0. Descriptive statistics were obtained for each measurement. Males and females were analyzed separately. Using a two-sample t-test for the parametric data, the mean values of the six measurements were compared between the two sexes to determine if statistically significant differences exist. Receiver operator curve was also applied. Discriminant Equation was obtained. The North Indian population was compared with other populations. In the present study, the mean maximum height of the right side was 37.51mm+3.17SD for females and 41.54mm+2.76SD for males, while the mean of the left side was 37.91mm+2.95SD for females and 42.61mm+2.97SD for males. The sexual dimorphism was significant statistically, with a p-value <0.001 for both sides. The projected cut off value on the right side was 39.56mm with a projected sensitivity of 86.7% and projected specificity of 73.3%, while on the left side cut off value was 38.76mm with a projected sensitivity of 93.3% and projected specificity of 63.3%. The accuracy for classifying males and females based on left and right was 78.3% and 80% respectively. The mean maximum breadth of right side was found to be 37.16mm+3.07SD for females and 42.99mm+2.51SD for males while the mean maximum breadth of left side was found to be 37.88mm+2.95SD for females and 42.61mm+2.97SD for males. The sexual dimorphism was found to be significant statistically with a p value <0.001 for both sides. The projected cut off value on right side was 40.48mm with a projected sensitivity of 90.0% and projected specificity of 96.7% while on left side cut off value was 39.85mm with a projected sensitivity of 90.0% and projected specificity of 83.3%. In the present study, measurements taken on patella bone showed higher mean values for males as compared with females (p<0.001).