A cross-sectional study of association between serum uric acid levels and smoking in chronic smokers in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: Smoking is harmful and causes various diseases due to the accumulation of free radicals causing oxidative damage. Antioxidants help in resisting damage from oxidative stress resulting from cigarette smoking. The presence of the double bonds in the uric acid makes it a powerful antioxidant. Uric acid measurement is cheap, and hence, it can be used as a periodical screening tool for ensuring the adequate antioxidant activity. Objectives: To study the relationship between serum uric acid level and smoking in chronic smokers. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study among 110 smokers of age group between 28 and 60 years. A complete detailed history was obtained from subjects including age, sex, average number of daily cigarettes smoked, duration of smoking, and dietary habit. After examination, the attained subjects’ serum uric acid level were assessed. Results: Average number of cigarettes smoked (cigarettes/day) and Pack years of smoking have a significantly negative correlation with serum uric acid (mg/dL) and are not correlated with the duration of the smoking. The correlation of serum uric acid with the Pack years of smoking was significant within the age groups and with different dietary patterns, and not with the gender. Linear regression model predicts that serum uric acid (mg/dL) decreases −0.09 times for each unit increase in Pack years of smoking and is statistically significant. Conclusion: Cessation of smoking can be recommended among the smokers, to maintain the normal serum uric acid, as uric acid is responsible for the major antioxidant activity in the body, to prevent cancers.