Correlation between metabolic syndrome factors and cigarette smoking

Introduction: Cigarette smoking is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies demonstrate the adverse effects of smoking on serum lipid profile but there is no evidence that smoking is correlated with metabolic syndrome components such as lipid profile and obesity. The purpose of this study is evaluating lifestyle factors like smoking on metabolic syndrome components. Methods: This is a descriptive analytic study in which 5573 nondiabetic men participated. Their biochemical indices including total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL were measured. Clinical and laboratory findings of smokers and nonsmokers were compared by independent t-test and Chi-square test. Results: Results indicate that LDL cholesterol (115.34&plusmn;39.3 vs, 11.65&plusmn;40.49) and triglyceride (175.13&plusmn;102.05 vs, 172.32&plusmn;116.83) levels in smokers were higher than nonsmokers. Body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio was lower in the nonsmokers. Mean systolic (117.25&plusmn;17.745 vs. 112.06&plusmn;15.888) and diastolic (76.23&plusmn;10.458 vs. 73.66&plusmn;10.048) blood pressures in smokers were higher than nonsmokers (P<0.05). Proportion of individuals with two metabolic syndrome components (triglyceride&ge;150mg/dl and HDL<40mg/dl) according to ATPIII was more in smokers than nonsmokers (39.64% vs. 33%) (P<0.05), but percentage of smokers with three factors was unexpectedly higher (49.92% vs. 43.82%). Conclusion: Findings support the hypothesis that lifestyle factors such as smoking can adversely affect metabolic syndrome factors. The meaningful difference in the results might be due to plentiful sample size whereas it may be of no clinical significance, hence further studies are crucial.