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Smoking, alcohol consumption, and leukocyte counts
H Parry1, S Cohen, J E Schlarb
1Department of Haematology, Salisbury District Hospital, England.
American Journal of Clinical Pathology
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Current smokers and recent former smokers show elevated white blood cell (WBC) counts. Abstinence from smoking for over 5 years normalizes WBC levels, suggesting smoking
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- White blood cell (WBC) counts can be influenced by lifestyle factors.
- Understanding these associations is crucial for interpreting blood test results and assessing health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between smoking status, alcohol consumption, and WBC counts in healthy volunteers.
- To determine the duration of smoking abstinence required for WBC counts to return to baseline levels.
Main Methods:
- Collected blood samples from 684 healthy volunteers for total and differential WBC counts.
- Assessed smoking status and alcohol consumption via questionnaire, verifying smoking with serum cotinine.
- Analyzed T cell, B cell, CD4, and CD8 subsets in a subgroup.
Main Results:
- Current smokers exhibited a 27% increase in total WBC counts compared to never-smokers.
- Former smokers abstinent for less than 5 years had 14% higher WBC counts.
- WBC counts in former smokers abstinent for over 5 years were comparable to never-smokers.
- Higher alcohol consumption (>1 drink/day) was associated with a 9% increase in lymphocyte counts only.
Conclusions:
- Smoking significantly elevates WBC counts, with effects persisting for up to 5 years after cessation.
- Long-term smoking abstinence (>5 years) appears to normalize WBC counts.
- Moderate alcohol consumption showed a minor association with increased lymphocyte counts but not other WBCs.