Title: Effect of Chewing Tobacco on Hematological Parameters in Bikaner City Population

Authors: Dr Devendra Kumar, DR.  B.K.Binawara, Mr. Poona Ram Beniwal, Mrs Pooja Sharma

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i2.87

Abstract

Background: An increase in the consumption of tobacco has been noticed among high school students, college students, and sportspersons. This study attempts to find out whether ‘chewing tobacco’ causes any adverse effects on the certain hematological parameters.

Material & Methods: A cross sectional study has been conducted on the population of Bikaner city (Rajasthan) aged between eighteen years to fifty five years in the Department of Physiology, S.P. Medical College, Bikaner on hundred subjects i.e. fifty chewing tobacco users (study group) and another fifty chewing tobacco non-users who should not be active or passive smokers (control group).The chewing tobacco non-users & users was twenty five subjects each in group I (18-35 yrs) and group II (36-55yrs).

Results: The present study shows that chewing tobacco users have significantly higher Hb level, RBC count and TLC. The results of differential count shows that they even have significantly higher percentage of neutrophil in their blood. Moreover, lymphocyte and monocyte percentage in their blood are significantly lower. Platelets also significantly decreases in chewing tobacco users. The difference of mean value of Hb, RBC, TLC, Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes and Platelets in chewing tobacco non-users & users is statistically highly significant in both group I and group II but the difference of mean value of Eosinophils and Basophils is statistically non significant in  both group I and group II.

Conclusion: The present study suggests that in case of individuals using chewing tobacco, the assessment of hematological parameters or screening of anaemia should be dealt with caution. This is because altered hematological profile due to tobacco use by the subject may lead to misleading interpretations.

Keywords: Smokeless tobacco (SLT), Hematological parameters, Inflammation, Nicotine.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Devendra Kumar

Sr. Demonstrator, Department of Physiology

S.P. Medical College, Bikaner, Rajasthan

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mobile no.: 07597695195