ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF SMOKING ON MUCOCILIARY TRANSPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
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Keywords
Smoking, Physical Activity, Mucociliary Transport, Carbon Monoxide, Spirometry, Saccharin Test, Mucociliary Clearance, Respiratory Health, Pedometer, Smoking Intensity.
Abstract
This observational cross-sectional study aimed to explore the impact of smoking on physical activity levels and mucociliary transport time (STT) in a cohort of 150 smokers and 90 nonsmokers. Participants were recruited from Bhaarath Medical College & Hospital, Chennai, and were classified into light, moderate, and heavy smokers based on cigarette consumption. The study assessed carbon monoxide exhalation (COexh), pulmonary function through spirometry, mucociliary transport (MCT) via the Saccharin Test (STT), and daily physical activity levels (PADL) using pedometers. The results revealed significantly higher COexh levels in all smoker subgroups compared to nonsmokers (p < 0.05), confirming ongoing smoking-related respiratory alterations. While no significant differences in physical activity levels (measured by steps per day) were observed across the groups (p = 0.68), all groups were categorized as somewhat active to physically active. Heavy smokers demonstrated significantly longer STT values than light smokers and nonsmokers (p = 0.02), indicating impaired mucociliary clearance. Notably, no significant correlation was found between STT and physical activity in smokers, although a negative correlation was observed between STT and steps per day in nonsmokers (r = -0.42, p = 0.01). The analysis showed weak associations between smoking history variables (e.g., pack-years, cigarette years) and STT. These findings suggest that while smoking impairs lung function and mucociliary transport, the relationship between physical activity and mucociliary clearance varies by smoking status. Further studies with a larger sample size are warranted to explore these relationships further.
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Dr. Sindhura Pasangulapati
Assistant Professor, Department of Ear, Nose & Throat, Bhaarath Medical College & Hospital,
Selaiyur, Chennai – 600 073