Effect of Smokeless Tobacco Consumption on Lipid Profile.

Tobacco consumption is a greater source of mortality and morbidity. About 35 to 40 % of tobacco consumption in India is in smokeless forms. Tobacco in any form increases serum cotinine level. The effect of increased serum cotinine level on lipid profile was studied in adult male rural population. Studies have shown increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors like increased in triglyceride, VLDL and decreased in HDLc in study group when compared to control group. Age matched adult male of rural population in Western Maharashtra between 22 to 56 years of age were included in the study. After estimation of serum cotinine level, study group were further divided into three sub groups according to tobacco chewing duration (years), frequency (perday) and serum cotinine level. (ng/ml) Lipid profile of the study and control group was determined and compared statistically. Out of 175 subject, 95 were tobacco chewers (study group) and 80 were tobacco non-chewers (control group). Triglyceride and VLDL were significantly higher (p<0.05) and HDLc was found significantly decreased (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001) in study group with respect to increased tobacco chewing duration, frequency and serum cotinine level as compared to control group. There was significantly and progressively increase in triglyceride and VLDL and decrease in HDLc in tobacco chewers according to tobacco chewing duration, frequency and serum cotinine level as compared to control group.