Analysis of Shisha Smoking Effect on Haematological Indices in Adult Smokers

ABSTRACT Shisha smoking is a rising trend among youth as a symbol of modernization and fashion. There is misconception that shisha smoking is less harmful than cigarette due to filtering effect of the liquid used in the device. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of Shisha Smoking on haematological indices, body mass index, and lung capacity of shisha smokers. Forty shisha smokers (case group) and 40 non-smokers (control) of age ranging 17-30 years were recruited in this study with their consent. Peripheral blood samples of case and control subjects were analysed to evaluate the effect of shisha smoking on blood pressure, BMI (body mass index) and blood parameters, namely HB (hemoglobin), RBCs (red blood cells), WBCs (White blood cells), PLTs (platelets), MCV (mean corpuscular volume), MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin), MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin), MPV (mean platelets volume) RDWc (red cell distribution width), PDWc (platelets distribution width) and MON (monocyte absolute). Our results showed elevated levels of Hb, RBCs, WBCs, PLTs, MPV, MCV and MCH with all P= 0.000 in case subjects. Significant increases in concentrations of MCHC, RDWc, PDWc and count with P=0.000 were observed in case subjects as compared to control subjects. Increased blood pressure (P=0.000), increased BMI (P=0.048) and decreased lung capacity (P=0.000) was studied in shisha smokers. Shisha smoking significantly increase the haematological indices, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and reduces lung capacity.