The Effect of Smoking on Upper Respiratory Tract

Raed Jafar Albahrani; Suha Jafar Albahrani; AHMED SAMI AL HUSSAIN; Ali Al–Sultan; Kamal–Eldin Ahmed Abou–Elhamd‎‏; Sayed Ibrahim Ali

Volume : VI, Issue : V, May - 2017

The Effect of Smoking on Upper Respiratory Tract

Raed Jafar Albahrani, Suha Jafar Albahrani, Ahmed Sami Al Hussain, Ali Al Sultan, Kamal Eldin Ahmed Abou Elhamd , Sayed Ibrahim Ali

Abstract :

Objectives: The effects of cigarette smoking on lower respiratory tract such as cancer and chronic obstructive disease (COPD) have been extensively documented. In contrast, little information is currently available on the impact of cigarette smoking on upper airway health. So, this study is about the effect of smoking on upper airway tract. Study design: Prospective random study Methods: Sixty–two patient have been examined after taking history in the outpatient clinic of KFU health center in one week from ENT clinic and internal medicine clinic in April 2013. We made a questionnaire which included name, sex , age , smoker , non–smoker or passive smoker and then we asked about upper respiratory tract infection symptoms which included in the questionnaire, Results They were 13 smokers, 46 non–smokers and 3 passive smokers. Smokers complained mainly from nasal obstruction (7/13=53.8%), nasal discharge (6/13=64%) and sore throat (6/13=64%). While non–smokers complained mainly from nasal discharge (24/46=52%), sore throat (21/46=45.6%), nasal obstruction (17/46=36.9%), dry cough (17/46=36.9%) and headache (13/46=28.2%). Conclusion There is no significant difference between smokers, non–smokers or passive smokers on their upper respiratory tract infection.