PREVALENCE AND PATTERN OF RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS IN ADULTS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background: Sickle cell disease is one of the common genetic diseases worldwide. The highest prevalence of this disorder occurs in the middle East, Mediterranean region, South East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa especially Nigeria. The study is aimed at assessing the common respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, wheezing, chest tightness, dyspnea) in adult SCD patients at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi.
Method: This is a cross-sectional case-control study carried out over a period of one (1) involving adult SCD patients attending the Out-patient Sickle cell Clinic at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi, South-Eastern Nigeria. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21.0).
Result: The study compared 50 adult SCD patients in a steady state to 50 healthy controls. The age range (AR) of the patients was 18-35 years with a mean age of 24.20 ±2.53 years. SCD patients showed significantly higher rates of respiratory symptoms. 36.0% of the study participants developed cough only with infection while 20.0% did not develop cough at all. 56% SCD patients produced sputum only with infection in the past four weeks while only 8% subjects produced sputum a few days in a month. 38% of the control group produced sputum only with infection and none it a few days in a month (p=0.02). 56.0% of SCD patients had shortness of breath only with infection whereas none of the control group experienced shortness of breath at any time in the previous four weeks. 16.0% of study subjects experienced it almost every day. (p=0.01)
Conclusion: Sickle cell disease patients frequently experience shortness of breath and sputum production. Routine screening and early interventions are crucial to slow lung function decline. More research is needed to pinpoint respiratory symptoms and risk factors, evaluate intervention effectiveness, and understand the diagnostic value of pulmonary function testing to improve early detection and management.
Keywords: prevalence, respiratory symptoms, adults, sickle cell disease
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References
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