Pulmonary Function Test Outcomes in Adult Omani Patients: Preliminary findings from a single-centre study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to document the distribution of PFT outcomes among adult Omani patients. There is limited information regarding the distribution of pulmonary diseases (PD) in Oman. Pulmonary function test (PFT) outcome patterns could indicate an indirect distribution of PD. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December 2015 at a tertiary hospital in Oman. A total of 1,118 adults referred for PFTs during this period were included. Results: There were 605 (54.1%) female and 513 (45.9%) male patients. The mean age of the patients was 47.11 ± 18.1 years. Most patients underwent spirometry with reversibility (36.8%) or full lung function testing with reversibility (29.7%). Among the 1,064 patients with conclusive PFT outcomes, 39.9% had normal findings, 26.1% had obstructive defects, 19.6% demonstrated restrictive defects and 10.6% had mixed obstructive/restrictive defects. Conclusion: This study generated important preliminary data regarding PFT outcomes (defects) in Omani patients.

Keywords: Pulmonary Function Tests; Spirometry; Pulmonary Diseases; Asthma; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; Oman.