COMPARISON OF TOTAL LEUCOCYTE AND EOSINOPHIL COUNT IN MALE SMOKERS AND HEROIN ADDICTS IN PESHAWAR

Background: The harmful components of tobacco smoke nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide affectsdifferent haematological parameters. Heroin affects almost every system of the body including blood and itscomponents. The present study was conducted in Physiology department; Khyber Medical CollegePeshawar from Jan 2006 to Dec 2007. The objective of the present study was to compare the affects ofcigarette smoking and heroin abuse on haematological parameters especially total leukocyte count andeosinophil count.Subject and Methods: The study was conducted on hundred age and sex matched subjects. The subjectswere divided into three groups i.e. forty cigarette smokers and forty heroin addicts and with twenty normal(Control). Laboratory tests were performed at Pakistan Medical Research Council (P.M.R.C) KhyberMedical College, Peshawar. Data was statistically analysed by computer using SPSS 10 software.Results: Total leukocyte and eosinophil counts were raised in both cigarette smokers and heroin abusers ascompared to normal individuals. Total Leukocyte count (TLC) was found significantly higher (P<0.001) incigarette smokers as compared to heroin addicts whereas there was no statistically significant difference ineosinophil count of cigarette smokers and heroin addicts. Neutrophil and lymphocyte percentages werelower and monocyte percentage higher in both cigarette smokers and heroin addicts as compared to controlgroup.Conclusion: Haematological parameters vary with cigarette smoking and heroin abuse. Therefore history of smokingand heroin abuse should be considered while interpreting the investigation in such patients.Key words: Leukocyte count, Eosinophil, Heroin addiction, Smoking.