Prevalence of Respiratory Symptoms, Patterns and Determinants of Lung Function Abnormality Among Patients Attending a Tertiary Respiratory Clinic in Abuja, Nigeria: A Two-Year Retrospective Analysis
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Abstract
Background: Respiratory diseases cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In Nigeria, these diseases are becoming rampant, but adequate hospital-based data are unavailable. This study examined the proportionate frequencies and associated factors of lung function abnormalities among patients at the Garki Hospital respiratory clinic in Abuja, Nigeria.
Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study reviewed records of 264 patients who attended the clinic between January 2024 and December 2025 and satisfied the inclusion criteria. The medical records were reviewed to gather socio-demographics, symptoms, and spirometry results. Lung function was considered normal, obstructive, restrictive, or mixed, based on spirometry. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a chi-square test, with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant.
Results: Most patients were women (61%), urban dwellers (84%), and aged 30-39 years (22%). The most common symptoms were chronic cough (63%), dyspnea (56%), and sputum (43%). Abnormal lung function was found in 74% of patients. Obstructive patterns were the most common (58%), followed by restrictive (32%) and mixed (10%) patterns. Moderate lung dysfunction was most frequent (34%), while very severe impairment was least common (7%). Lung function abnormality was associated with age (p = 0.001), smoking status (p = 0.045), and marital status (p = 0.05), but not with sex, location, or occupation.
Conclusion: Most patients had moderate-to-severe lung problems, which may reflect delays in seeking medical care. Targeted health education, making spirometry available and affordable, and strengthening efforts to control smoking are important steps toward improving respiratory health in Nigeria.
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