ABSTRACT
The Asthma Control Test (ACT) is a validated, simple,and inexpensive instrument to assess control among patients with bronchial asthma. However, its relationship with lung function parameters is yet to be demonstrated among Nigerian asthma patients. Our study aimed at assessing asthma control using ACT scores and determining its relationship with lung function parameters among persons with asthma in a university respiratory clinic.The cross-sectional study included 65 patients with bronchial asthma who underwent routine check-ups in respiratory clinics at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Nigeria between October 2009 and January 2011. The ACT was administered to assess for asthma control. Lung function testing was done using the guidelines of the American Thoracic Society (ATS).The mean pre-bronchodilator FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second) was 1.97±0.87L and mean ACT score was 18.2+4.28; 24 (37%) of the study subjects had well-controlled asthma. The ACT scores were weakly correlated with percentage of predicted,FEV1(r=0.220, p=<0.078) and PEF (peak expiratoryflow), (r=0.168,p=0.18).In this study, most of the patients had poor asthma control and lung function parameters correlated poorly with ACT scores. It is important that the ACT complements other physiological measures of assessing asthma control in our environment
Subject(s)
Asthma/prevention & control , Breath Tests , Cross-Sectional Studies , Lung/physiologyABSTRACT
Despite scarce information on the implications of diabetes for pulmonary function; existing evidence suggests that the respiratory system might also be affected by diabetes. We therefore conducted a crosssectional study of pulmonary function in male Nigerian diabetes patients using spirometric indices. Seventy-six male diabetes patients aged 27-80 years were studied at the Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital; Ile-Ife; Nigeria. Overall; all lung function parameters/volumes studied were significantly lower in the diabetes patients compared with predicted values p=0.000. Patients' ages correlated negatively with all spirometric indices but there was no significant relationship between lung function and fasting blood sugar; body mass index; or diabetic microvascular complications. The implications of abnormal lung function parameters for respiratory disease in diabetes are unclear. Routine tests of pulmonary function are not presently indicated in Nigerian diabetes patients
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus , Disease , Lung , Male , Respiratory System , SpirometryABSTRACT
Introduction: Alterations of serum lipid profiles have been reported widely among Human Immuno deficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients on Highly Active Anti Retroviral Therapy (HAART). However; there are few data on serum lipid profile among treatment na?ve HIV positive patients in our environment. Objectives: To describe the pattern of lipid profile among treatment na?ve HIV positive patients and changes following HAART initiation. Methods: One hundred and thirty HIV positive patients seen in HIV center in an urban area in Nigeria and 44 matched individuals were recruited. Data were collected on socio demographic characters; baseline lipid profiles and CD4 count. Values of lipid parameters were retrieved after 12 months on HAART. Results: The mean Low density lipoprotein(LDL) was 2.26+ 0.9 mmol/l among the test group compared with 0.96+0.39mmol/L among the control ;p value =0.000 .The mean High density lipoprotein (HDL) was also significantly lower;0.8+ 0.6mmol/L reaching a dyslipidemic level; in the HIV positive group than the control; p value = 0.00. Tuberculosis /HIV co infected patients had a significantly elevated mean LDL; p=0.002. Conclusion: Abnormality of serum lipid is common among treatment na?ve HIV patients seen in Nigeria. The NNRTI regimen is associated with elevation of HDL and some stabilization of TC and TG