ABSTRACT:

Background & Objective: Cigarette smoking has become a major avoidable cause of diseases like stroke, Ischemic heart disease and occlusive vascular disease. Smoking increases mortality nearly five times between age group of 30-40 years who are likely to be free from other myocardial risk factors. Hyperthrombic state in smokers may be attributed to enhanced platelet activity which may be reflected in terms of platelet count and platelet aggregability. Previous studies have reported many conflicting results on these parameters. The present work was undertaken to study the effect of cigarette smoking on platelet count and platelet aggregability in young & well educated male smokers and compare the results with non-smokers.

Methods: Total sample size was 70 which included a mixed population of male doctors & engineers [smokers (n=35) & non-smokers (n=35)] between the age group 26-40 yrs. They were selected on the basis of smoking of filtered cigarettes minimum 5 per day for duration ≤ 10 years. Platelet count was done on Sysmex K-4500 Autoanalyser. Platelet aggragbility was estimated by O’Brien’s method using ADP.

Observations: Our results showed a statistically significant increase in the platelet aggragbility (P< 0.01 & Z >2). The change in the platelet count was statistically insignificant.

Conclusion: As per our study increased platelet adhesiveness is evidenced even in young smokers with duration of smoking less than 10 years. Such young population which is otherwise free from the predisposing factors like obesity, hypertension, diabetes etc. can be encouraged to adopt healthier lifestyles and quit smoking so that future health related consequences can be avoided.

Key words: young smokers, Platelet count, Platelet aggregability

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