Comparison of Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV1) between Smoker and Non Smoker Doctors

Aamir Husain; Imran Abdullah; Muhammad Hanif Nagra; Adnan Maqsood; Muhammad Sarfaraz; Fraz Saeed Qureshi

doi:10.29054/apmc/2012.442

Aamir Husain MRCP (UK), FRCP (Glasgow) Associate Professor & Head of MU-III PMC/Allied Hospital Faisalabad
Imran Abdullah Medical Officer MU-III Allied Hospital Faisalabad
Muhammad Hanif Nagra Assistant Professor of Medicine PMC/Allied Hospital Faisalabad
Adnan Maqsood Medical Officer MU-III Allied Hospital Faisalabad
Muhammad Sarfaraz Senior Registrar MU-III Allied Hospital Faisalabad
Fraz Saeed Qureshi Senior Registrar MU-III Allied Hospital Faisalabad

DOI: https://doi.org/10.29054/apmc/2012.442

Keywords: Forced Expiratory Volume in one second, COPD, Smoking

Abstract

Aim of this study was to compare the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) in smoker vs. non smoker doctors. Material and Methods: Individuals were divided into two equal and matched groups of fifty each. Their ages ranged between 27 to 57 years with an average of 18.2 pack years of smoking. Individuals with history of pulmonary, cardiac, musculoskeletal, neurological or any systemic disease which could decline lung functions were excluded. Moderate smoking was defined as cigarette smoking of 10 pack years. Desktop Spirometer (Geratherm respiratory GmbH) was used in the study and GOLD criteria of COPD was applied to detect the abnormalities. Results: Mean Age of individuals was 37.65 ± 7.16 years

and mean (±SD) height was 174.33 ± 7.54 centimeters. FEV1 was normal in 32 (32 %) subjects out of 100 (n=100), out of which 06 were smokers and 26 were non smokers. Signs of airway obstruction (FEV1 < 80% predicted) were found in 68 (68%) subjects, among whom 44 subjects were smokers and 24 were non-smoker. Smokers had a history of 10 to 41 pack years of smoking with a mean of 18.2 pack years. P-value was calculated using Chi-square test, which turned out to be 0.00 Conclusion: The prevalence of persistent air flow obstruction is high in asymptomatic smokers. A low FEV1 in an asymptomatic smoker indicates individual with high risk of developing COPD.