Comparative effect of different forms of tobacco smoking and their exposure rate on lung function in healthy smokers, non smokers and COPD patients

Tobacco usage in India is contrary to world trends since chewing tobacco and the beedies are the dominant forms of tobacco consumption, whereas internationally the cigarette is the most prominent form of tobacco use. As tobacco use patterns and disease patterns vary considerably within India, the expected consequences of prolonged tobacco use will also likely vary in India's large and heterogeneous population. Method: A total of 400 subjects including smokers, non smokers were selected from the Volunteer Bank of Clinical Pharmacology Unit and COPD patients were selected from the other hospital. Healthy smokers and non-smokers underwent screening. Spirometry was performed using RMS spirometer as per ATS guidelines. Result: The effect of cigarette and beedi smoking on pulmonary function was studied in healthy males from North India. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV₁), FEV₁/FVC and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) was determined in non-smokers (as control group), cigarette and beedi smokers and COPD patients.

There were statistically significant differences observed in FEV₁ and FEV₁/FVC between beedi and cigarette smokers. Statistically significant differences were observed in FEV₁, FVC, and FEV₁/FVC value of beedi smokers and non smokers (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference observed in FVC and PEFR between beedi and cigarette smokers.