SNUFFED TOBACCO MIGHTIER THAN SMOKED TOBACCO: FREQUENCY DETERMINATION OF UPPER AND LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT DISEASES

Abstract

Objective: To assess the frequency of upper and lower respiratory tractdiseases in people addicted to snuffed tobacco.Methods: A retrospective cross sectional study conducted from patient data,who presented at the outpatient departments at Civil Hospital, Karachi andAnkleseria Hospital, Karachi for a period of 6 months from January 2014 toJune 2014. A total of 131 patients were screened who were using snuff tobaccofor variable period of time and presented with a series of signs and symptoms.70 patients were included in the study, after meeting the eligibility criteria. Adetailed history, physical examination, ENT examination and baselinesinvestigations were recovered from patient record. Data was entered andfrequencies were calculated.Results: Out of 70 patients, 41 (58.5%) were males while 29 (41.5%) werefemales. 63 (90%) of the patients presented with cough, 52 (74.3%) withproductive cough, 20 (28.5%) with dyspnoea, 11 (15.7%) with fever, 3 (4.3 %)with bleeding from nose and mouth, 8 (11 .4%) with facial pain and 4 (5.7%)with weight loss. On the basis of history, examination and investigations,31(44.3%) of the patients were diagnosed as COPD, 10 (14.3%) as pharyngitis,12 (17.1%) as sinusitis, 7 (10%) as nasal polyps or nasal ulcers, 06 (8.5 %) aspneumonia. 2 patients (2.85%) were diagnosed as lung cancer and 2 patients(2.85%) were diagnosed as nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Conclusion: Snuffed tobacco can cause diseases of upper & lower respiratorytract and can also lead to more grievous pathologies like lung cancer andnasopharyngeal carcinoma.