BackgroundThe increasing importance of pulmonary function testing in diagnosing and managing lung diseases and assessing improvement has necessitated the need for locally derived reference equations from a sample of the general Nigerian population.MethodsIt was a cross sectional study in which we used linear regression models to obtain equations for reference values and lower limits of normal for spirometric indices in adult Nigerians from a sample of the general population aged 18–65 years (males) and 18–63 years (females).ResultsSeven hundred and twenty participants made up of 358 males and 362 females who satisfactorily completed the spirometric measurements using the ATS/ERS reproducibility and acceptability criteria were included in the analysis. The most important predictive variables were height and age. The values of the spirometic indices increase with increasing stature but decrease with increasing age in both sexes. The sex difference in all the indices is also apparent as all the indices, except FEV1/FVC, are higher in men than in women.Our values are higher than values obtained from previous studies in Nigeria (except FEV1/FVC) but the differences were not statistically significant. This suggests that although the values are increasing, the increase is yet to be significantly different from values obtained using the past equations. The implication of this is that there is need for periodic study to derive new equations so as to recognise when there is significant difference.There was no significant difference between values from our equations and those obtained from study among Ethiopians. Compared to report from Iran, our FVC and FEV1values (in males and females) as well as PEFR (in females) are significantly lower. Our values are also lower than values from Poland. We also observed disparities between our values and those of Afro Americans from the GLI study.ConclusionsOur findings show that it is important to always interpret ventilatory function tests in any individual by comparing it with reference values obtained from a well-defined population of healthy subjects of the same ethnic origin in similar geographic location.

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This study aimed at determining the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and to ascertain its impact on physical dysfunction and work performance among pregnant women. A total of 200 pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics at three health facilities in Ilorin had a 29-item semi-structured questionnaire administered on them. Variables relating to the LBP obtained included frequency, duration and severity of the pain, effect of posture on pain, physical dysfunction experienced during the painful episode, effect on work performance as well as the treatment options sought for the relief of the LBP. There are slightly more (55.4%) pregnant women who experience LBP than those who did not. LBP is most common at both extremes of reproductive age group (p<0.005) and associated with absenteeism (p<0.005) and tended to be posture related and affected work schedules (p<0.005). More pregnant women who suffered LBP sought treatment with the gynaecologists than the physiotherapists. LBP is most common in pregnancy than outside pregnancy. LBP often causes considerable physical dysfunction, poor work performance and absenteeism. Collaboration between obstetricians and physiotherapists need to be further improved upon.

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