European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

The Indian subcontinent's population is accustomed to smoking tobacco (cigarette, bidi, and hookah) or using smokeless tobacco (tobacco in pan, in gutkha, or khaini). Both chewing tobacco and smoking tobacco have negative impacts on human health because of harmful chemicals in them including tar, nicotine, and other substances that may change the myelination of peripheral neurons.
Materials and Methods: Participants were divided into three groups, 40 were male tobacco chewers and smokers (aged 20 to 60), 30 were tobacco smokers only, and 30 were tobacco chewers exclusively. The Physiolab-PL 2005was used to do the NCV. Subjects had their median and ulnar nerves' motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities (MNCV and SNCV) measured.
Results: We found statistically significant changes (p<0.05) in MNCV &SNCV of median and ulnar nerve between tobacco smokers& chewers and only tobacco chewers. While comparing with individuals of tobacco smoking and chewing habit and only tobacco smoking habit have statistically significant changes only in MNCV of median nerve.
Conclusion: From this study we conclude that individuals who were having a habit of smoking as well as chewing are on highest risk for reduction in conduction velocity in both motor as well as in sensory nerve. According to this study, both sensory and motor nerve conduction velocities showed statistically significant changes. Demyelinating neuropathies, such as those caused by smoking and chewing, typically result in reduce conduction velocity