The Basis and Potentials of Ogunlade Sex Determination Electrocardiographic Score (OSDES) in Young Adults

Abstract

The potentials of electrocardiogram (ECG) in sex determination in young adults have not been extensively explored despite the fact that ECG is one of the most frequently performed medical procedures. This study aimed at developing a simple electrocardiographic score system that could assist in sex determination in young adults. Patterns of ECG in male and female young adults were carefully analyzed and features that could be used to delineate the ECG into male and female patterns were selected as criteria for formulation of a simple scoring system called Ogunlade sex determination electrocardiographic score (OSDES).Components of OSDES were point scores in four electrocardiographic parameters; T wave configuration in V1 (1-3), ST segment in V2 or V3 (1-3), QRS rotation (1-3) and heart rate (1-3). The total minimum and maximum scores were 4 and 12 respectively. An individual with a total score of < 7 was identified as a female while an individual with a score ≥ 7 was identified a male. Thus, with OSDES, ECG can be classified into two; male pattern and female pattern for male and female respectively. This unique scoring system was tested among 474 healthy young adults (294 males and 180 females). Two hundred and eighty eight (288) of the 294 males were correctly identified by OSDES as males while 174 of the 180 females were correctly identified as females (k = 0.946, p < 0.001). The study defined male and female ECG patterns and concluded that ECG can be used to determine sex among young adult population.