Asthma Treatment Outcomes and Trends: A Six-Year Retrospective Study at a Federal Medical Centre in South-Eastern Nigeria

Background Millions of people worldwide suffer from asthma, a chronic respiratory disease marked by symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. This retrospective study assessed socio-demographic characteristics, treatment outcomes, and factors influencing asthma management among 389 patients at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Nigeria, from 2017 to 2022. Methods A retrospective study review of patients' records who had experienced asthma at Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri from 2017 to 2022 was conducted. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25.0, with significant findings highlighted to support targeted asthma care strategies. Results Demographic analysis showed that 43% of patients were aged 30–45 years, with 54% being female. Urban residence (62%) and environmental exposures to pollutants were consistent contributors to asthma prevalence, alongside a strong family history (peaking at 50% in 2020). Logistic regression revealed that adult-onset asthma (p = 0.005, odds ratio [OR] = 1.67) and difficult-to-control and severe asthma (p = 0.001, OR = 2.30) were significantly associated with poor outcomes, emphasizing the need for intensified management for these patient groups. While childhood asthma and eosinophilic asthma showed positive but non-significant associations (OR = 1.26 and OR = 1.51, respectively), occupational asthma indicated a protective trend (OR = 0.70, p = 0.11). Repeated measures ANOVA identified significant year-to-year variations in symptom improvement (F = 4.23, p = 0.001, partial eta squared = 0.047) and attack frequency (F = 3.51, p = 0.004, partial eta squared = 0.039). However, fluctuations in treatment outcomes, such as a slight decrease in significant symptom improvement from 44.9% in 2017 to 39.5% in 2022, underscore persistent challenges in long-term asthma management. Conclusion This study highlights the necessity of addressing genetic predispositions, environmental exposures, and severe asthma types to improve management outcomes. Public health interventions should focus on personalized care, urban exposure reduction, and enhanced patient education.