Morpho-spiro-voice-acoustic differences between smokers and non-smokers

The organs most impacted by tobacco smoke are primarily those of the respiratory system, along with the vocal cords. This study aims to determine the significant differences in morphospirometric and voice-acoustic variables between non-smokers and smokers, emphasising the substantial effects of smoking on health and vocal quality. Two morphometric variables, eight spirometric variables, and thirteen voice-acoustic variables were measured in 117 male Albanian subjects from Kosovo (78 non-smokers and 39 smokers). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20. The data were examined using descriptive statistics (arithmetic means, minimum and maximum values, and standard deviation), independent samples t-test, and discriminant canonical analysis. Discriminant statistical parameters indicate that the group of non-smokers significantly (p < 0.00- 0.05) differs from the group of smokers, showing lower body weight (within normal limits), higher spirometric parameters (within normal limits), and greater voice amplitude. No significant differences were observed between the groups in variables such as stature, PIF (peak inspiratory flow), jitter variables (voice period variability), and the fundamental frequency of the voice sample. Based on the Wilks’ Lambda value, it can be concluded that spirometric variables (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.56) provide better discrimination between smokers and non-smokers compared to voice-acoustic variables (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.66).