ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The hemoglobin is a basic tool in diagnosing anemia. Not many studies compared hemoglobin between non-smokers and smokers in Korea and they did not differentiate hemoglobin between males and females. This study was conducted to show the difference of hemoglobin between non-smokers and smokers in male population and factors affecting hemoglobin. METHODS: We gathered 313 men who underwent periodic health examination from May to July 2001 in a general hospital. The relationship between cigarette smoking and hemoglobin concentration was examined by comparing the means of hemoglobin between two groups and through multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean of hemoglobin was significantly higher in smokers than in non -smokers, especially in smokers with more than 1 pack per day. The factors that influence the hemoglobin level were age, the amount per day, and the total amount they smoked in the past (pack -year). Daily cigarette smoking seemed to cause a general upward shift of hemoglobin distribution curve, while age and pack - year on the opposite. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that hemoglobin cutoff values should be adjusted for smoke and one must consider the patient's age to compensate for masking effect of smoking and aging on detection of anemia.