A comparative study on pulmonary function tests in smokers & nonsmokers

Abstract

Cigarette smoking leads to development of cancers, cardiovascular, respiratory diseases including COPD. It poses a health challenge in reducing morbidity and mortality in developing countries like India. Spirometry in smokers may show reduction in lung function parameters.A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary healthcare level institute in Greater Noida on 100 smokers and 100 Nonsmokers total 200 healthy asymptomatic male subjects. Spirometry by RMS Helios spirometer 401 was conducted according to American Thoracic society guidelines after enrolling the subject based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and collected data was analysed with epi info 7 software using appropriate statistical methods. Smokers and Nonsmokers were not much different in mean age and other physical parameters. Pulmonary function parameters like FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR, FEF are significantly less in Smokers as compared to Nonsmokers. With increasing smoking index (duration in years x number of cigarettes smoked per day) heavy smokers showed greater decline in lung function FVC and FEV1 like they showed with increasing age.All the lung function test parameters showa significant decline in asymptomatic Smokers as compared to Nonsmokers. Therefore, by conducting spirometry, especially in smokers, cases may be detected at early stage and subsequent morbidity may be lessened.