Association between hypertension and lung function among adult patients attending the general outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Poor lung function is a predictor of all-cause and cardiac mortality. Identifying and modifying risk factors is mandatory for reducing cardiovascular complications among hypertensive patients. Lung function however is not routinely assessed as a cardiovascular risk. The study aimed to compare the lung function parameters among hypertensive and normotensive patients at the general outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital in southwest Nigeria.
Method: A comparative study of 105 hypertensive and 105 normotensive patients, aged 40-60 years. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data on socio-demographic characteristic and medical history. Anthropometric measurement was obtained and spirometry was performed. The level of significance was set at p< 0.05.
Result: A significantly higher proportion of the hypertensive group (33.3%) had poor lung function compared with the normotensive group (21.0%), p=0.044. Logistic regression analysis showed uncontrolled blood pressure (OR: 2.995, {1.243-7.171}) as the most significant predictor of poor lung function and waist circumference above normal (OR: 4.579, {1.136-18.465}), the most significant factor associated with poor lung function in the hypertensive and normotensive groups respectively.
Conclusion: Uncontrolled blood pressure predicted poor lung function, thus lung function assessment as well as ensuring blood pressure control should be advocated among hypertensive patients for prevention of a decline in lung function