Study of pulmonary functions in male current smokers and never smokers

Background: Cigarettes smoking is the principal cause of preventable disease, disability, and premature death in the world. Tobacco smoking affects multiple organ systems resulting in numerous tobacco-related diseases. The study aimed to investigate interrelationship of pulmonary functions between current smokers and never smokers. Methods: Asymptomatic, 50 males current tobacco smokers and 50 healthy never smokers aged between 25 to 50 years were selected as cases and controls. Detailed description of the subject’s selection, data collection and methods used for performing the test. Results: Maximum incidence was seen in >31 yrs of age with mean of 38.681±4.5. The study found that never smokers had significantly higher pulmonary functions as compared to current smokers:- FVC in liters (3.43±0.55 Vs 2.44±0.58; p<0.05); FEV1 in liters (2.86±0.57 Vs 1.76±0.32; p<0.05); FEV1/FVC in percentage (82.72±8.67 Vs 73.72±11.40; p<0.05); FEF 25-75 ratio in percentage (3.18±0.91 Vs 1.60±0.45; p<0.05); PEFR in liters per second (6.63±2.00 Vs 3.16±1.26; p<0.05); breath holding time in seconds (25.54±2.14 Vs 21.36±2.10; p<0.05); 40mm endurance test in seconds (22.36±1.58 Vs 17.70±2.01; p<0.05); MEP in mmHg (83.48±5.28 Vs 64.38±5.31; p<0.05) were found significant. Conclusions: The strong relationship between cigarette smoking and respiratory disease has been seen independent of the other risk factors in a number of well-designated epidemiologic studies. Spirometry is an excellent screening test to detect chronic airflow obstruction, but may be useful in detecting restrictive disorders as well to study the effect of tobacco smoking on pulmonary functions.