Abstract
Objective:To investigate the changes in levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and hematological parameters among smokeless tobacco (SLT) users.Methods:A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the community level in the coastal districts of Sindh province namely Badin, Thatta, and Sujawal from January 2017 to December 2019. The CRP and hematological parameters were evaluated by well-established methods among SLT and non-SLT users.Results:There was a statistically significant difference between SLT users (mean CRP = 0.77) versus non-users (mean CRP = 0.18), p = <0.001. Among hematological parameters, white blood cells (SLT users median = 7.85 versus non-SLT users median = 8.50, p = 0.004), monocytes (SLT users median = 6.00 versus non-SLT users median = 6.00, p = 0.001) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (SLT users median = 15.00 versus non-SLT users median = 10.00, p = 0.006) showed statistically significant difference.Conclusions:Significantly elevated CRP was observed in SLT users similarly hematological parameters also showed changes. WBCs, monocytes and ESR were significantly deranged among SLT users. Further studies looking into long term effects of these changes would be helpful.
Highlights
Pakistan is a country with one of the highest rate of smokeless tobacco (SLT) users in the world along with many other Asian countries including India and Bangladesh, where people use SLT culturally and traditionally in many forms such as Naswar, Gutka, Paan, Chalia with and without slaked lime and tobacco mix.[1]
More than three quarters of all the SLT consumed by people of South Asian origin; yet there is little evidence on the adverse effects on hematological parameters and levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) caused due to the use of SLT products.[5]
Several researchers have targeted for unique stable and easy to identify biomarkers that can differentiate cancer patients from the healthy and for the detection of precancerous lesions who are at high risk of developing cancer.[6]
Summary
Pakistan is a country with one of the highest rate of smokeless tobacco (SLT) users in the world along with many other Asian countries including India and Bangladesh, where people use SLT culturally and traditionally in many forms such as Naswar, Gutka, Paan, Chalia with and without slaked lime and tobacco mix.[1]. Pak J Med Sci July - August 2021 Vol 37 No 4 www.pjms.org.pk 983 and more than 0.16 million people are killed by diseases caused by tobacco each year. Tobacco is expected to kill a billion people worldwide.[4]. More than three quarters of all the SLT consumed by people of South Asian origin; yet there is little evidence on the adverse effects on hematological parameters and levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) caused due to the use of SLT products.[5] Several researchers have targeted for unique stable and easy to identify biomarkers that can differentiate cancer patients from the healthy and for the detection of precancerous lesions who are at high risk of developing cancer.[6]
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