Relationship between tobacco smoking and hematological indices among Sudanese smokers

Abstract

Background Tobacco Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable morbidity and mortality in the world. It is well documented that tobacco smoking is risk factor for many diseases like: cancers, chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and the effects of tobacco smoking on hematological indices gets a little attention: the data is mostly inconsistent regarding the differential of WBCs, a conflicting studies described the effect of smoking on hemoglobin descriptive parameters and a regular monitoring of platelets count in smokers was advised. Objectives The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between tobacco smoking and hematological parameters among Sudanese healthy Smokers at Bahri Town. Methods This was a cross sectional study conducted during 2022 in Bahri town, Khartoum state. A total of 120 male subjects participated in this study. Of them, 60 healthy non-smokers participants (Control), and 60 age matched smokers who were smoking tobacco for a minimum of 1 year. Smokers group was divided into three major sub-groups with each group contains 20 subjects: Cigarettes smokers (CS), Water pipes (Shisha) smokers (WP) and both Cigarettes and water pipes (shisha) smokers (CSWP). Data was collected through questionnaire interviews and laboratory investigation. A sample of Five ml venous blood was taken for Complete blood count testing using Urite 3000 plus semi-automated hematology analyzer. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Assocation between the variables were estimated and p value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Smokers had significantly higher RBCs count (p = 0.017), Hb level (p < 0.001), WBCs count (p = .017), Neutrophils (p < 0.001), MCH (p = 0.029), MCHC (p < 0.001), RDW (p < 0.001), and PDW (p < 0.001) compared to the non-smokers. In contrast, non-smokers had higher MPV (p < 0.001) and MCV (p < 0.001) levels than smokers. Between the non-smokers and different subtypes of the smokers (CS, WP & CSWP), there were significant differences between the subgroups for all hematological parameters except for PLTs and lymphocytes count. CS had lower levels of MCV (p < 0.001), MCHC (p < 0.001), HCT (p = 0.036), and RDW (p < 0.001) compared to the non-smokers, while both cigarette and shisha smokers had the higher levels of neutrophils count (p < 0.001) and PDW (p < 0.001) compared to the non-smokers. Conclusion Smoking affects hematological parameters; smokers had significantly higher RBCs count, Hb level, WBCs count, Neutrophils, MCH, MCHC, RDW and PDW compared to the non-smoker group. WP smoking caused higher levels of RBCs, Hb, neutrophils, MCH and MCHC. PDW was high in smokers’ sub-groups compared to control group, while MPV was lower despite insignificant change In PLTs count.

The Impact of Sleep on Haematological Parameters in Firefighters

“…This study corroborates our data in a specific aspect, as no association was found between tobacco consumption and Hb and RBC levels. However, Ahmed et al (2024) [ 118 ] presented different results from the previous study. Aiming at evaluating the relationship between tobacco smoking and haematological parameters among 120 Sudanese healthy smokers, it revealed that smokers had a significantly higher RBC count of 5.37 ± 0.42 (×1012/L) and Hb levels of 16.17 ± 1.58 (10 12 /L).…”

“…The production of this new protein impairs red blood cells from functioning correctly, making it difficult for them to transport oxygen. In response to this situation, the body compensates for the lack of oxygen by entering a state of hypoxia, leading to a chemical response by the brain to stimulate red blood cell production, thereby increasing Hb and HCT levels [ 117 , 118 ]. Aldosari et al (2020) presented similar results, finding that Hb and RBC levels hardly differed between the two groups [ 117 ].…”

Reference intervals of complete blood count parameters in the adult western Sudanese population

“…Factors, including ethnicity, smoking status, and altitude, can all have an impact on variations in red blood cell (RBC) counts [ 11 , 12 ]. People who live at high elevations, for instance, might have increased RBC counts because of the body’s adaptation to low oxygen levels [ 12 ].…”