Impact of Smoking Cessation on Lung Function Parameters – A Cross Sectional Study

Background: There have been widespread adverse effects and association between smoking and tobacco use across published researches, but very few studies have been investigated on the beneficial effects that accompany a long-term cessation of smoking. Comparing the lung function with normal subjects might significantly use the results obtained, if positive, to encourage current smokers to quit smoking and quitters to continue to refrain from smoking.

Aims: To determine the impact of cessation of smoking on lung function parameters in quitters as compared to smokers and non-smokers.

Materials and Methods: The cross sectional observational study was on smokers, non-smokers, and quitters in rural area of Mangalore city. A total of 150 individuals were selected for the study, 50 each from all 3 groups of smokers, non-smokers and quitters using convenient sampling method using convenient sampling process. All participants were examined for Pulmonary Function Test parameters. The analysis was carried out using the Analysis of the variance test to determine the impact of smoking cessation in lung function parameters.

Results: Significant differences were observed between quitters, smokers and non-smokers in terms of lung function parameters using ANOVA (FVC-p<0.001**, FEV1-p<0.001**, FEV1/FVC-p=0.04** PEFR difference between the groups was not significant with p=0.25). Analysis of PFT parameters using Tukey’s multiple post-hoc procedures revealed that FVC and FEV1 showed a significant differences between the quitter group when compared to the smoker group p<0-001**.

Conclusion: Smoking cessation was followed by substantial change in lung function parameters FVC and FEV1 between the quitters as opposed to the smoker community.