Evaluation of the relationship between the level of addiction and exhaled carbon monoxide levels with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios in smokers

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Smoking has been reported to increase systemic inflammation. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are used as markers for systemic inflammation. In this study, the primary aim was to determine the NLR and PLR ratios in smokers. Secondly, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between the level of addiction and carbon monoxide (CO) level in the expiratory air, with these ratios. METHODS This study was designed as a single-center, cross-sectional study. It was conducted with chronic smokers aged 18–40 years, without known health problems, visiting the smoking cessation outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital. Sociodemographic data and smoking characteristics were collected, and exhaled CO levels were measured. Complete blood count (CBC) results were recorded, including NLR and PLR. RESULTS The mean age of 247 patients was 31.2±6.1 years, with the majority of patients (68.4%) being male. While the mean value of CO was 11.6±5.6 ppm, 42.1% of cases had a high level of addiction. A statistically significant relationship was found between NLR and addiction levels, the CO level, and the amount of smoking in cigarettes/day and packs/year (all p=0.000). A statistically significant relationship was also found between PLR and addiction levels, CO level, cigarettes/day and packs/year (p=0.000, p=0.03, p=0.000, p=0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS We found that as the level of addiction, cigarette use, and exhaled CO levels increased in smokers, NLR and PLR increased. Our data revealed that NLR and PLR may be a simple and easily assessable proxy of systemic inflammation in smokers.

Airborne Influenza Virus in Daycare Centers

“…Samplers: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) bioaerosol sampler (BC251) with SKC AirChek XR5000 pump (SKC, Eighty Four, PA, USA) Sampling rates and time: 3.5 L/min for 30 min, and 6-13 air samplers per week. Sampling periods: October 2016 to June 2018 except during the summer holidays in 2017 (weeks [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] Children who attend daycare centers are exposed to higher levels of infectious agents and air pollutants-including carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), and ultrafine particles (UFPs)-than those who are cared for at home [12,13]. Studies have reported that children exposed to UFPs (aerodynamic diameter < 0.1 µm) have an increased risk of respiratory infection and hospital admission [14,15], and the amount of influenza virus found in the fraction of UFP S less than 0.25 um was 15% [16].…”

“…A study in Porto revealed that the concentrations of CO 2 in nurseries and kindergartens were 1563 and 1492 ppm, respectively [ 20 ]. Scholars have also considered CO as an indicator of respiratory inflammation [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Specifically, studies have reported that patients with upper or lower respiratory tract infections and current smokers had increased concentrations of exhaled CO [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”

“…Scholars have also considered CO as an indicator of respiratory inflammation [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Specifically, studies have reported that patients with upper or lower respiratory tract infections and current smokers had increased concentrations of exhaled CO [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Therefore, investigating indoor CO 2 , UFPs, and CO was critical for discussing the influence factors when evaluating the airborne influenza virus in daycare centers.…”