title: Investigation of exclusive narghile smokers: deficiency and incapacity measured by spirometry and 6-minute walk test.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies on the submaximal aerobic capacity of exclusive narghile smokers (ENS) seem necessary in view of effective prevention of cardiorespiratory diseases. The goal of the study was to assess, by 6-min walk test (6MWT) data, the submaximal aerobic capacity of ENS, to identify factors influencing their 6-min walk distance (6MWD), and to compare their data with those of a healthy non-smoker (HNS) group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy 20-60-y-old male ENS were included. Narghile use (narghile-years) and anthropometric, clinical, spirometric, and 6MWT data were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify factors influencing 6MWD. Data of a subgroup of 40-60-y-old ENS (n = 25) were compared with those of an age-matched HNS group (n = 53).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median (first to third quartile) for age and narghile use were 32 (26-43) and 17 (8-32) narghile-years, respectively. The profile of ENS performing the 6MWT was as follows: at the end of the 6MWT, 34% and 9% had a low heart rate (< 60% of maximum predicted) and high dyspnea scores (> 5/10, visual analog scale), respectively; 3% had an oxyhemoglobin saturation decrease of > 5 points during the test; and 20% had an abnormal 6MWD (less than the lower limit of the normal range). The factors that significantly influenced the 6MWD, explaining 38% of its variability, are included in the following equation: 6MWD (m) = 742.63 - 5.20 × body mass index (kg/m(2)) + 25.23 × FEV1 (L) - 0.44 × narghile use (narghile-years). Compared with HNS, the subgroup of ENS had a significantly lower 6MWD (98 ± 7 vs 87 ± 9% predicted, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Narghile use may play a role in reducing submaximal aerobic capacity. The present study suggests that a program of pulmonary rehabilitation is an excellent axis to follow.
authors.affiliation: Service of Physiology and Functional Exploration Laboratory of Physiology Research Unit Secondary Prevention After Myocardial Infarction, N: 04/UR/08-18 helmi.bensaad@rns.tn.
authors.forename: Helmi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ben Saad
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physiology.
authors.forename: Maya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Babba
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physiology.
authors.forename: Rafik
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boukamcha
authors.affiliation: Service of Physiology and Functional Exploration Laboratory of Physiology.
authors.forename: Ines
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ghannouchi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physiology.
authors.forename: Imed
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Latiri
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mezghenni
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Chakib
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zedini
authors.affiliation: Service of Physiology and Functional Exploration Laboratory of Physiology.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rouatbi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010993:Plethysmography, Whole Body; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013147:Spirometry / Q000379:methods*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: deficiency; incapacity; narghile; smoking; tabamel; walk test