Does passive smoking have an effect on nasal mucociliary clearance?

Objective: The aim of this study is to review the literature about nasal mucociliary clearance (MCC) and passive smoking in otorhinolaryngology by clearly explaining their relationship in a cross-sectional study.

Study Design And Setting: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Umraniye Education and Research Hospital in Turkey. Umraniye Education and Research Hospital Ethical Committee approved the study, and informed consents of the patients were obtained.

Methods: Our study consisted of patients who presented to the Ear-Nose-Throat Department of Istanbul Umraniye Education and Research Hospital between February 2011 and July 2011. Three groups of subjects were evaluated: 15 passive smokers (group 1), 17 active smokers (group 2), and 15 healthy matched controls (group 3). All patients were asked to answer our questions regarding their smoking history, and nasal MCC time was assessed for all individuals of the 3 groups.

Results: The mean MCC value was 23.59 ± 12.41 in the smoking group, 12.6 ± 4.67 in the passive smoking group, and 6.4 ± 1.55 in the healthy group. The comparison of MCC values between the smoking group and passive smoking group and between the smoking group and healthy group revealed statistically significant differences (P < .01). There was also a significant difference between the MCC values of the passive smoking group and the healthy group (P < .01). In addition, we compared MCC values according to exposure number of cigarettes.

Conclusion: In this study, we conclude that passive smoking affects nasal MCC. Both active and passive smoking increases nasal MCC time when compared with healthy controls.