Behavior of Lung Health Parameters among Smokers and Secondhand Smokers

A cross-sectional study on a pool of undergraduate smokers and nonsmokers (n=200) was randomly selected from Notre Dame University, Lebanon. The study design is based on a questionnaire about the students’ smoking record exposure, cotinine saliva levels, and ventilatory lung function parameters. Despite the nonsmoking policies that have been recently established by universities, diffused smoking stations in proximity to classes and offices still exist, at least in the MENA region. Such an environment still imposes a remarkable effect on certain lung health parameters of nonsmokers exhibiting similar exhaled air per second (FEV1) to smokers with a P value = 0.558 and normal flow of air (TV) with a P value = 0.153. However, the maximum amount of air held in the lungs remained different with respect to sex and smoking status. These results imply a poor performance of nonsmokers mimicking partially the lung health parameters of smokers. It remains a pressing issue to increase awareness concerning the debilitating effects of secondhand smoking.

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR)-A Simple Ventilatory Lung Function Test

Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is the maximal expiratory flow rate sustained by a subject for at least 10 milliseconds expressed in Litre per minute (L/min). PEFR is a simple, reliable, reproducible and easily measurable ventilatory lung function test. This simple test had been measured by various types and shapes of instruments for long since, now mini- Wright peak flow meter is widely used to measure the of PEFR values. Mini-Wright peak flow meter is cheap, easily portable and reproducible device for PEFR even below the age 5 years. Different countries use their own nomogram or prediction equation to find out mean PEFR values of particular height. Similarly, the prediction equation for calculation of PEFR values of Bangladeshi boys and girls are 5.96XHeight-495 and 5.70XHeight-479 respectively. Peak expiratory flow rate is very useful tool for diagnosis, management and follow up of reversible airway diseases. J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll, 2011;3 (2): 44-47 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v3i2.12078