Prospective study on the effect of smoking and nicotine substitution on leucocyte blood counts and relation between blood leucocytes and lung function
Department of
Respiratory Diseases, University Hospital of Aarhus, Noerrebrogade
DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
Correspondence to: Dr E J Jensen.
Received 3 June 1997; Returned to authors 16 July 1997; Revised version received 5 January 1998; Accepted for publication 12 May 1998
BACKGROUND
The
influence of smoking and of nicotine substitution on the counts of
total blood leucocytes and leucocyte subsets and the relations between
the counts and lung function was investigated.
METHODSThe study was
a combined cross sectional and prospective study of 298 smokers and 136 non-smokers. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)
was measured in all participants at baseline and six months after
quitting smoking in 160 ex-smokers (quitters) and 138 persons with
smoking relapse. Blood samples were obtained from all participants at
baseline and from 160 quitters and 30 continuing smokers two, six, 12, and 26 weeks after smoking cessation and from 92 quitters one year
after the cessation of smoking.
RESULTSBlood
leucocyte counts and leucocyte subsets were all higher in smokers than
in non-smokers. In cigarette smokers total leucocyte, neutrophil, and
lymphocyte blood counts showed a dose dependent relationship with the
daily cigarette consumption and pack years consumption. In smokers the
neutrophil blood count was independently associated negatively with
FEV1 residuals. After quitting smoking total leucocyte,
neutrophil, and lymphocyte blood counts decreased during the first 26 weeks and after one year lymphocyte blood counts were higher than in
non-smokers. In quitters substituted with nicotine chewing gum (2 mg)
the accumulated number of pieces of chewing gum used in the 12 weeks
had an inverse relationship with the decrease in the total lymphocyte
blood count at 12 weeks after smoking cessation.
CONCLUSIONSLeucocyte
blood counts are raised in smokers and decrease after smoking
cessation. Neutrophil blood counts had an inverse relationship with
lung function and nicotine may increase lymphocyte blood counts in smokers.
© 1998 by Thorax
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