[Spirometric profile of narghile smokers]

Abstract

Introduction: Studies of the spirometric profile of narghile smokers are few, have some methodologic limits (ie. small sample size) and present contradictory conclusions.

Objective: (i) To determine the percentage of smokers having an obstructive ventilatory defect (OVD) and/or a restrictive ventilatory defect (RVD) or static hyperinflation (SHI). (ii) To compare the chronological and the estimated lung ages.

Inclusion criteria: men aged 20-60 years smoking narghile (>1 narghile-year (NA). Non-inclusion criteria: cigar or cigarettes smoker and co-morbidity. Narghile consummation quantification: NA and kg of cumulated tobacco (1 NA=9.125 kg of cumulated tobacco).

Definitions: large airway OVD: FEV1/FVC<lower limit of normal (LLN). Small airway OVD: FVC>LLN and forced mid expiratory flow<LLN. RVD: total lung capacity<LLN. SHI: residual volume>upper limit of normal. Spirometric measures (Vmax 22 Series/6200 Autobox, Yorba Linda, California, USA with measurement of functional residual capacity by nitrogen washout). Measurements were made according to international recommendations.

Results: 110 narghile smokers were included (34+/-10Yr; 1.76+/-0.07m; 84+/-14kg). 36% of subjects had SHI; 14% had small airway OVD; 14% had RVD and 6% had large airway OVD. (ii) Estimated lung age was higher than the chronological lung age (47+/-18Yr vs 34+/-10Yr, p<0.05).

Conclusion: Narghile consumption accelerates ageing of the lung. This study provides the health authorities with valid arguments to fight this blight on society which increasingly involves children and pregnant women.