Correlation Between Smoking and Lung Abnormalities

Abstract

Background: Both dust inhalation and smoking combined, led to more deleterious effect on the lungs. The health of gold miners is not only eroded by excessive exposure to dust in the mines, but also by the habit of smoking. Smokers have a significantly higher risk of getting lung cancer than non-smokers. Objective: The objective of this study is to establish the relationship between smoking and lung abnormalities among ex-mineworkers in the Transkei region of South Africa. Patients and Methods: During a two years period (May 1997 to May 1999) 2080 former mineworkers were examined at the Benefit Examination Clinic at Umtata General Hospital, a tertiary hospital attached to the Walter Sisulu University in Eastern Cape Province. Radiological examinations were carried out on (466) former mineworkers, in the age group ranging from 30 years to 70-plus years. Results: Mineworkers who had smoked exhibited two to three times the number of gross lung abnormalities on radiological examination than those who had had no experience of smoking in their life. The readings taken indicated an odd ratio (OR) of 2.0 with a p value of <0.05, and Chi-square 8.3, indicative of statistically significant association between smoking and lung abnormality in the ex-mineworkers (i.e. ex-smokers, smokers, and non smokers). Conclusion: There is a strong correlation between lung abnormalities and smoking among ex-mineworkers in this study.