Young Smokers Have Impaired Airway Defense

University of Sao Paulo72 enrolled

Overview

Background: Smoking is a key factor for development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although persons with COPD often have concomitant nasal disease, there are few studies that report physiological or inflammatory changes in the upper airways in young asymptomatic smokers. The investigators investigated physiologic and inflammatory changes in the nasal and lower airways of young smokers and if these changes were related to smoking history. Methods: Seventy-two subjects aged ≤ 35 years (32 healthy nonsmokers and 40 young smokers) participated in this study. The investigators measured nasal mucociliary clearance (MCC), nasal mucus physical properties, cell count, myeloperoxidase and cytokines concentrations in nasal lavage fluid, exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH and lung function.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Smoking

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 35 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * healthy nonsmokers * asymptomatic smokers * after obtaining written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * inability to understand and follow commands * previous nasal surgery * respiratory infection in the previous 30 days * reported or diagnosed asthma

Locations (1)

Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Exhaled Breath Condensate pH

Time frame: six months

Secondary Outcomes

mucociliary clearance by saccharine transit time test

Time frame: six months