Philippine E-Journals

Evaluation of Blood Cell Count and Red Cell Indices of Active and Secondhand Smokers in Association with the Degree of Smoking

Claudine F Arro | Maica F Magpantay | Ann Kathleen A Rubico | Cristelle M Sobejana | Leah F Quinto

 

Abstract:

Cigarette smoking is considered as an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease and one of the predisposing factors which contributes to the progression of numerous chronic and age-related disease processes. The mechanism behind the development of this disease incorporates hemostatic instabilities and vascular dysfucnction which is induced by the chemicals contained in the cigarette. The main concern of this study is to know if passive smokers are being affected the same way as active smokers knowing the acute and chronic effect of smoking on hematological parameters. Thus, this study aimed to compare the blood cell count and red cell indices of active smokers, secondhand smokers and non-smokers. A total of 60 male participants, ages 25 to 40 from Sto. Tomas, Batangas were enrolled in the study with 20 individuals for active, secondhand and non-smokers respectively. The smokers were further classified into four groups (1-5 cigarettes/day, 6-10 cigarettes/day, 11-20 cigarettes/day, and >20 cigarettes/day) which determined the degree of smoking. Five milliliters of blood in EDTA tube was collected and analyzed by Sysmex Hematological Analyzer. The study reveals that passive smokers have higher total white blood cell count (TWBC) compared to active smokers. TWBC particularly neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes are significantly increased in both active and secondhand smokers. Red cell indices show no significance in active, secondhand and non-smokers. Nevertheless, significant difference in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was found in active smokers when compared to non-smokers. It has also been found that the red blood cell count, TWBC particularly neutrophils, monocytes, and basophils have a positive association with the degree of smoking. Other parameters and red cell indices shows no significance with the degree of smoking.