Effects of Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking on the Spirometric Profile of University Students in Palestine: A Cross-Sectional Study

Zaher Nazzal; Deema Odeh; Fatima Azahraa Haddad; Mohammad Berawi; Belal Rahhal; Hasan Yamin

doi:10.1155/2020/5949834

Effects of Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking on the Spirometric Profile of University Students in Palestine: A Cross-Sectional Study

Can Respir J. 2020 Jun 27:2020:5949834. doi: 10.1155/2020/5949834. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Zaher Nazzal¹, Deema Odeh², Fatima Azahraa Haddad², Mohammad Berawi², Belal Rahhal³, Hasan Yamin⁴

Affiliations

¹ Division of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, State of Palestine.
² Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, State of Palestine.
³ Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, An-Najah National University, Nablus, State of Palestine.
⁴ Al Hakim Medical Complex, Nablus, State of Palestine.

Abstract

Background: Waterpipe smoking in young individuals is increasing with limited studies addressing its respiratory health effects. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of waterpipe smoking on young adults' lung functions. Spirometric parameters were compared between waterpipe smokers and nonsmokers.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study of university students, including males and females, was conducted. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to record students' characteristics. The spirometry test was performed to assess students' lung functions; we recorded the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of FVC (FEF_25-75%).

Results: A total of 300 apparently healthy students (150 waterpipe smokers and 150 nonsmokers) were included in the study. Waterpipe smokers showed significantly lower values in FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC ratio, PEF, and FEF_25-75% compared to the nonsmoker group (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). The subgroup analysis on female students (50 WP smokers and 50 nonsmokers) showed a significant decrease in FEV₁/FVC ratio, PEF, and FEF_25-75% parameters (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Waterpipe smoking is associated with reduced spirometric parameters in healthy young adults with relatively limited smoking years.

MeSH terms

Age Factors
Arabs / statistics & numerical data
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Respiratory Function Tests* / methods
Respiratory Function Tests* / statistics & numerical data
Students / statistics & numerical data*
Tobacco Smoking* / adverse effects
Tobacco Smoking* / epidemiology
Tobacco, Waterpipe / adverse effects*
Universities
Young Adult