Shahar and Pooy developed equations for estimating the height of older Malaysian adults. This can help to evaluate a bedridden patient who cannot stand to measure stature. The authors are from the University of Kebangsaan in Kuala Lumpur.
Patient selection: adults >= 60 years
Arm span = distance from tip of right middle finger to tip of left middle finger with arms outstretched.
Half arm span = distance from mid sternal notch to tip of middle finger with arm outstreteched
Demi span = distance from sternal notch to web of middle finger with arm outstreteched
Parameters:
(1) gender
(2) arm span in cm
(3) demi-span (half of arm span) in cm
(4) knee height in cm
For males:
height in cm =
= (0.681 * (arm span)) + 47.56
= (1.438 * (demi-span)) + 51.28
= (1.924 * (knee height)) + 69.38
For females:
height in cm =
= (0.851 * (arm span)) + 18.78
= (1.549 * (demi-span)) + 41.35
= (2.225 * (knee height)) + 50.25
