A Comparative Study of ECG Intervals in Young Male Smokers and Drinkers in Tertiary Care Hospital

Ghule, Amol; Shinkar, Swapnil

ABSTRACT

Background:

Tobacco & Alcohol consumption has many worsthealth outcomes. Tobacco is consumed in many forms andone such form is cigarette smoking. Tobacco use leads tosudden coronary death, chronic obstructive pulmonarydisease, cancer, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension andthe list is endless. Alcohol is consumed in hard drink form.Alcohol is use leads to liver disease, brain damage, heartdisease, pancreatitis, cancer risk and the list is endless.

Aim:

To evaluate ECG intervals in apparently healthy youngmale smokers compared to non-smokers & Drinkers comparedto non-drinkers using a 12-lead ECG record.

Objective:

To evaluate and compare variations in ECG waves,segments and intervals in apparently 150 healthy young malesmokers , non-smokers and 150 drinkers, non-drinkers.Materials and

Methods:

Descriptive comparative study overtotal duration of 24 months. For convenience 300 young,apparently healthy smokers non-smokers, Drinkers and nondrinkers in the age group of 18 - 35 yrs. were taken.Settings and

Design:

Department of General Medicine OPDof Vedantaa Institute of Medical Sciences, Palghar (TertiaryCare Hospital).

Results:

PR interval was significantly shortened amongsmokers & drinkers. No statistically significant difference inQRS interval between the two groups (Smokers & nonSmokers) but statistically significant difference in QRS intervalbetween the two groups (Drinkers & Non Drinkers). QTcinterval was slightly higher among smokers than non-smokersalso drinkers than non-drinkers. TP interval was slightly higheramong non-smokers than smokers also non-drinkers thandrinkers. There is statistically significant decrease seen insmokers & drinkers.

Conclusion:

Smoking & Drinking induces significantalterations in cardiac electrophysiology like shortening of PRand TP interval, prolongation of the QTc interval in apparentlyadult male individuals which may predispose to cardiovascularmorbidity and mortality in the long run.