Title: Study of Pulmonary Function Tests in Chronic Smokers and Alcoholic Males
Authors: Mrs. Anita Jain, Dr Keerti Mathur, Dr Manisha Sankhla
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i6.13
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Major health risks are caused by alcohol and tobacco whenever used alone or together. Assessment of pulmonary function is important investigation because early detection of functional impairment and its appropriate treatment will help in decreasing morbidity and mortality related to disease. The aim of the present study is to measure and compare pulmonary function tests such as FVC, FEV, FEV1 / FVC %, PEFR and MVV between study groups (smoker, alcoholic, smoker with alcoholic) and control group. The present study involved 360 subjects in the age group of 30-60 years, both smoker and alcoholic, recruited from medicine OPD from S.M.S. Hospital, Jaipur (Rajasthan). Out of total 360 subjects: - 90 were smoker, 90 were alcoholic, 90 were smoker with alcoholic and 90 were control subjects. Data were statistically analyzed by student’s unpaired ‘t’ test, one way ANOVA and post hoc tukey test. All pulmonary function tests such as FVC, FEV, FEV1 / FVC %, PEFR and MVV were decreased in smokers (group – B) when compared to control and alcoholic subjects and it was found to be decreased further when associated with alcohol consumption (smoker with alcoholic subjects). Results were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Smoking alone and together with consumption of alcohol causes decrease in pulmonary functions mainly FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, PEFR and MVV, suggesting both obstructive and restrictive type of respiratory diseases.
Keywords: Forced Vital Capacity [FVC (L)], Forced Expiratory Volume in one Second [ FEV1 (L)], Peak Expiratory Flow Rate [ PEFR (L / Min)], Maximum Voluntary Ventilation [ MVV (L / Min)]
