Leukocytosis Prevalence according to Smoking among Men

Kim, Gwi Sun; Park, Il Joong; Kong, Mi Hee; Lee, Tae Young; Joo, Nam Seok; Kim, Kwang Min

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoke exposure accelerates the release of leukocytes from the bone marrow, which is postulated to be mediated by inflammatory cytokines and haematopoietic growth factors released from the lung.
METHODS
The study population consisted of 2,270 healthy men above 20 years of age who had visited a health promotion center in a university hospital from January 2005 to December 2005. Baseline health check, self- reported cigarette smoking habit and blood sample were evaluated. The mean count of leukocytes and the leukocytosis prevalence according to smoking amounts were investigated.
RESULTS
As the daily smoking amount was increased and as pack years smoked was increased, the mean total WBC count values and the prevalence of leukocytosis were higher (P=0.000). The odds ratio (OR) for leukocytosis according to daily smoking amount compared to no smokers was 1.98 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01~3.88) in those who smoked 1/2~1 pack per day and 4.17 (95% CI 1.83~9.48) in those who smoked more than 1 pack per day. The OR for leukocytosis according to smoking pack years compared to no smokers was 2.58 (95% CI 1.22~5.42) in those who smoked 20~30 pack years, 3.31 (95% CI 1.38~7.93) in those who smoked 30~40 pack years and 5.17 (95% CI 2.00~13.32) in those who smoked more than 40 pack years.
CONCLUSION
The mean count of leukocytes and the prevalence of leukocytosis were higher in current smokers than no smokers and ex-smokers.