Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence of tobacco smoking in students of Nizhny Novgorod Medical State Academy (Russia) and its effects on lung function and serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecules (sICAM) sCD50 (sICAM-3) and sCD54 (sICAM-3).
Materials and methods: Data were collected between 2009-2010 using a structured questionnaire on 149 medical students (42 males and 107 females), aged 20±1 years. The questionnaire included questions regarding personal characteristics, dependence and quitting smoking, consequences on health. Lung function tests were performed in 31 students (16 smokers and 15 non-smokers). The serum concentrations of sICAM-1 and -3 were determined using ELISA-method.
Results: There were 18,8% of current smokers (from which 46% females); an index of duration of smoking was 3,0±1,9 pack/years. The early age of the beginning of smoking (of 9-14 years) has been registered. Means of FVC and PEF in smoking students were significantly lower than in non-smoking (81,1±5,9 vs 87,5±9,1% and 75±9,7 vs 84,9+7,6%, respectively). The serum levels of sCD50 and sCD54 in smoker (140,4±57,7 U/l and 78,9±29,7U/l, respectively) were significantly reduced compared with non-smoker (242,4+54,4 U/l and 172,7+51,5 U/l, respectively).
Conclusion: These results indicate high level of tobacco use among medical students in this Russian city, especially among females. The reduced levels of FVC and PEF, as well as of sICAM-1 and -3 in smoker compared with non-smoker were revealed. Decrease in levels of sCD50 and sCD54 in smokers might be due to inhibitory effect of smoking on intercellular adhesion.
- © 2011 ERS
