Liver function parameters in asymptomatic smokers – A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Smoking remains the single most common cause of preventable deaths. The liver is affected by the process of smoking through various inflammatory pathways. This will lead to aggravation of pathogenic impact on the liver tissue. The present study was undertaken to determine the liver function parameters in cigarette smokers. Aims and Objectives: The objective was to estimate and compare the parameters of liver function – alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, total protein, albumin, and globulin in asymptomatic male smokers and non-smokers of the age group 25–50 years in the above two groups. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on 60 males with 30 smokers and 30 non-smokers of the age group 25–50 years. All the subjects who have satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria were incorporated in the study. Informed consent was taken before the conduct of the study. The participants were selected in a consecutive manner till the sample size was achieved. AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin, total protein, and albumin were estimated using ERBA EM 360 fully automatic analyzer. The difference between the total protein and albumin was used to calculate the level of globulin. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 18 was used for data analysis. Results: The mean values of AST, ALT, and ALP were significantly elevated in smokers when compared to non-smokers. The mean values of total bilirubin, total protein, albumin, and globulin were significantly decreased in smokers. Conclusion: Smoking leads to the development of hepatic damage which increases the intensity of complications. The study reveals the importance of screening asymptomatic smokers for liver function parameters to avoid complications of hepatic diseases hence improving the quality of life.