Basic anthropometric parameters and ventilatory function indices among current cigarette smokers

Abstract

Background: Ventilatory function indices [forced vital capacity (FVC), expiratory volume in 1 (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC] are a function of the basic anthropometric parameters (weight and height). Cigarette smoking is an important confounder in the relationship between ventilatory function indices and basic anthropometric parameters. Aim: To determine the relationship between anthropometric parameters and ventilatory function among male adult cigarette smokers. Materials and Methods: This is a community-based cross-sectional study incorporating 200 male participants (150 cigarette smokers and 50 non-smokers) who met inclusion criteria using stratified random sampling technique. Participants were drawn from local governments that constituted Sokoto metropolis. Subsequently, participants had a questionnaire adapted from European Community Respiratory Health Survey administered to collect demographic, clinical and cigarette smoking data. Ventilatory function test was performed using Clement Clarke One Flow Spirometer, version 1.3 Revision 0 (Clement Clarke International, Edinburgh, UK). The highest value of each ventilatory function indices (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC) was chosen for analysis. Data were summarized, and statistical tests were applied using the software Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 19 (IBM SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Result: The majority of study participants among cigarette smokers and control were young, single and had a form of formal education. There was no significant difference in the mean of anthropometric indices [weight, height, body mass index (BMI)] of participants (cigarette smokers) and control (non-cigarette smokers). Twenty-nine (58%) non-cigarette smokers were overweight/obese as against 35 (23.3%) participants among cigarette smokers observed to be equally overweight/obese. Mean values of the ventilatory function indices except FVC were low among study participants as compared with control. Furthermore, the mean FEV1/FVC between participants (75.60 ± 7.53) and control (82.48 ± 6.11) was statistically significant (P = 0.001). A significant correlation between anthropometric parameters (height and BMI) and ventilatory function indices (FEV1 and FVC) was observed among study participants and control. Conclusion: Ventilatory function indices are associated with anthropometric parameters among cigarette smokers. Although, BMI did not significantly affect decline in ventilatory function indices among cigarette smokers, an inverse relationship was observed between them.