A Comparative Study of Serum LDL-Cholesterol in Smoker and NonSmoker Healthy Adults

Background: Several studies have reported elevated blood cholesterol levels among persons who regularly smoke cigarettes/beedis and lowered blood cholesterol levels among persons quitting smoking. Other studies have also shown that smoking increases low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level, resulting in an increased risk of coronary heart disease. The objective was to Comparative study of serum LDL-C in smokers and non-smokers &correlation with number cigarettes/beedis smoking/day. Methods: An observational cross-sectional comparative study was carried out in 100 subjects. The subjects were divided into two groups. First group consisted of 50 nonsmokers and second group of 50 smokers. The group of 50 smokers was again divided into three sub groups which mild (1-10 cigarettes/day), moderate (11-20 cigarettes/day, severe (more than 20/day) with at least 5 years or more duration of smoking. Concentration of serum LDL-C was determined by Beta-quantification determination of LDL -C concentration. Results: there was statistically significant difference among smokers and nonsmokers aged 18 to 45 years with normal BMI & significant positive correlation with number of beedis/cigarette smoking with respect of serum LDL-C. Conclusions: Thus, it can be said based on the present study that smoking affects LDL-C of the healthy adults which leads to cardiovascular risk in future.