Effects of Cigarette Smoking on White Blood Cells Count and von Willebrand Factor Levels in Male Smokers in Khartoum State

Abstract

Background: Tobacco cigarette smoking is one of the major leading causes of death and essential public health challenge in world over. Elevated von Willebrand factor (vWF) concentrations are associated with an increased risk of ischemic heart disease. High total leukocyte count can promote cardiovascular diseases through multiple pathologic mechanisms, and has been considered as an independent predictor of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Objective: To assess the effects of cigarette smoking on White blood cells and von Willebrand factor levels in apparently healthy male smokers. Materials and Methods: One hundred subjects were included in this study: 50 were Sudanese male smokers, and the other 50 were controls. All subjects were evaluated to determine the effects of cigarette smoking on White blood cells and von Willebrand factor levels. The TWBCs was determined using Sysmex Kx21-N Analyzer. vWF level was measured using ELISA method. Results: vWF was significantly higher in male smokers compared to non-smokers (p = 0.000). Total White Blood cell (TWBC) count was also higher among smoker than nonsmokers (P = 0.000). There were significant correlations between TWBC count and vWF levels with cigarette consumption/day and the duration of smoking. Conclusion: Our results concluded that smoking increases the white blood cell count and von Willebrand factor levels in males.