Spirometric restrictive ventilatory pattern and type 2 diabetes mellitus in a tertiary hospital in Cameroon: A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess the association between spirometric restrictive ventilatory pattern (sRVP) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and investigate factors associated with sRVP in subjects with T2DM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this comparative cross-sectional study, subjects with T2DM (diabetes group) were compared to a group of subjects without diabetes (non-diabetes group) from December 2018 to March 2019 (4months) at the National Obesity Center of the Yaoundé Central Hospital. sRVP was defined as the ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) above the lower limit of normal, and FVC<80% of predicted values. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with sRVP. RESULTS: Overall 277 subjects were included in each group. The prevalence [95% confidence interval (95% CI)] of sRVP in the diabetes and non-diabetes groups was 39.4 (33.6-45.1) % and 34.3 (28.9-40.1) %, P=0.218. After multivariate analysis, we did not find an independent association between s sRVP and T2DM [odds ratio (95% CI): 1.13 (0.79-1.63), P=0.418]. The only independent factor associated with sRVP in subjects with T2DM was the presence of chronic vascular complications [odds ratio (95% CI): 1.99 (1.11-3.55), P=0.019]. CONCLUSION: One-third of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have sRVP. There is no independent association between sRVP and T2DM. The presence of chronic vascular complications is associated with sRVP in T2DM. Diagnosis of sRVP in subjects with T2DM presenting chronic vascular complications would help to provide a holistic management.

Prevalence and determinants of current asthma in Cameroon.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of asthma varies from one country to another due to differences in ethnicity, socio-economics status, environmental and climatic risk factors. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of current asthma in Cameroonian adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 4 cross-sectional community-based studies from 2014 to 2018 were analyzed. Participants aged 19 years and above were selected through multilevel stratified random sampling methods across 2 urban areas, 2 semi-urban areas and 1 rural area. Current asthma was defined as "wheezing in the last 12 months in a subject with self-reported asthma or having used drugs for asthma treatment". Logistic regression was used to investigate the determinants of current asthma. RESULTS: A total of 10,707 adults [median age (interquartile range)=36 (26-52) years, 44.5% of men] were definitively enrolled in the study. The overall prevalence [95% confidence interval (CI)] of current asthma was 3.9% (3.5-4.3)%. Determinants [odd's ratio (OR), (95%CI)] of current asthma were: Sudanese ethnicity [1.9(1.4-2.7)], rural area [1.5(1.1-2.1)], urban area [1.6(1.2-2.2)], past history of pneumonia [1.9(1.1-3.4)], allergic rhino-conjunctivitis [6.5(4.7-8.9)], atopic eczema [2.3(1.5-3.6)], body mass index (BMI)≥40kg/m2 [1.9(1.0-3.4)] and BMI<18kg/m2 [1.8(1.2-2.9)]. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of current asthma is close to the low value of the Sub-Saharan African range. Sudanese ethnicity, rural area, urban area, history of pneumonia, allergic disease, severe obesity and underweight were determinants of current asthma in Cameroon. More research is surely warranted to understand the mechanisms underlying the association of asthma with Sudanese ethnicity.