1Assistant Professor of Physiology, Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bellary, Karnataka
2Assistant Professor of Physiology, Travancore Medical College, Kollam, Kerala
*Corresponding author: Mallikarjuna Vanagundi, No.71, Ex Serviceman Colony, Cowl Bazaar, Near Belegal Cross, Bellary, Karnataka
Online published on 16 May, 2013.
Smoking is now identified as a major cause of a wide variety of health problems. Much has been known about ill effects of smoking and tobacco use, but little about the beneficial effects following cessation of smoking habit. Hence this study intends to provide details regarding the same.
To assess the improvement in pulmonary function of smokers after complete cessation of smoking at pre-determined time durations of about 4 weeks, 8 weeks & 12 weeks.
Study was conducted in Bengaluru on 55 healthy adult smokers presenting voluntary to undergo de-addiction. Their baseline FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC and PEF were recorded and repeated at various pre-determined intervals after onset of cessation program. Subjects were grouped into quitters and non-quitters based on maintenance of cessation. The results are compiled and statistically analyzed.
Following complete cessation of smoking habit, a definite improvement in all the above lung function parameters was seen. FEV1 improved by 394.14 mL (p<0.001), FVC improved by 335.45 mL (p<0.001), FEV1/FVC increased by 0.0412 (p=0.001) and PEF increased by 0.64 L/sec (p<0.001). The same parameters did not show significant change in non-quitters. The improvement in quitters showed inverse relationship with age and duration of smoking.
Smoking Cessation, Quitters, Non-Quitters, Lung Functions, Spirometry, FEV1, FVC, PEF
