Vol. 6, Issue 5 (2017)

Materials and Methods: This analytical observational study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, India for the period of 1 year. A total of 200 clinically healthy volunteers of Bihar, in the age group of 20–60 years participated in the present study. Individuals with a history of smoking cigarettes/bidis daily for at least 6 months were considered as smokers. Another 100 non-smokers of the same age group were included separately in this study as a control group. TLC, DLC and other parameters were analyzed using standard methods.

Results: A total of 320 subjects (160 non- smokers and 160 smokers cases), in which baseline demographic parameters (age and BMI) are compared between smokers and non-smokers. No significant difference between the baseline demographic parameters between the smokers and non-smokers ensures optimum comparison avoiding bias. The difference between TLC, lymphocyte count, monocyte count, granulocyte count, and oxygen saturation of hemoglobin among smokers and non-smoker subjects. The mean values of TLC (P<0.001), lymphocyte count (P<0.001), monocyte count (P=0.01), and granulocyte count (P=0.01) were significantly higher in smokers as compared to non-smokers, while the mean values of SpO₂ (P = 0.02) were significantly lower in smokers as compared to non-smokers.

Conclusion: The study has shown that altered values of TLC and DLC and oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in smokers should be considered during diagnosis, interpretation of result, and treatment of patients. A high TLC and DLCs exhibited in this research may be responsible for chronic inflammation and subsequent high risk of CVD in smokers. Therefore, quitting smoking should be encouraged for better health.