title: Effects of daily cigarette consumption on respiratory symptoms and lung function in a general population sample of north-Italian men.
abstract: We assessed the respiratory effects of the number of cigarettes smoked daily (CIGD) in 748 male smokers of a general population sample living in the unpolluted area of the Po Delta (Italy). A standardized questionnaire, flow-volume curves (V/V), the diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) and the slope of the alveolar plateau of nitrogen (DN2%/l) were used. Subjects were divided according to the median value of the observed distribution of CIGD (1-19, 20+) and according to the tertile values of the observed distribution of pack-years (an index representing lifetime cigarette consumption; 1-7, 8-21, 22+). In those with a higher CIGD, the prevalence rate of chronic phlegm was always significantly increased, while the prevalence rate of wheeze was significantly higher if they had smoked 8+ pack-years. Using analysis of variance, adjusted for pack-years, DLCO indexes, FEF75-85 and Vmax75 were significantly reduced in those with higher CIGD. When multiple logistic models, accounting for the independent effects of age and pack-years, were used, significantly increased odds ratios (ORs) for symptoms (e.g. OR = 2.0 for phlegm, OR = 1.8 for cough, OR = 1.6 for wheeze) and abnormal DLCO (OR = 1.9) or DN2%/l (OR = 1.6) were associated with a daily consumption of 10 cigarettes. In conclusion, the amount of cigarettes currently smoked may add a negative effect to that caused by lifetime cigarette consumption on respiratory symptoms and lung function. Moreover, the use of diffusing capacity in general population surveys is advisable.
authors.affiliation: CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, University of Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Viegi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paoletti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vellutini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carrozzi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Pede
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baldacci
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Modena
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pedreschi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Pede
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giuntini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012423:Rural Health; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires