airway obstruction in college going smokers

This study aims to assess the prevalence of airway flow obstruction among collegiate smokers. with the null hypothesis there is no significant association between obstructive pulmonary disease and young collegiates. With alternate hypothesis there is a significant association between obstructive pulmonary disease and young collegiates.The Nicotine exposure leads to obstruction and destruction of airways, diagnosed as COPD in later stages. The sample size for this study was estimated by the formula Z α 2P (1-P)/d2 (where Z α is 1.96, P is 10.1%, and d is 0.05, N═139). 550 collegiate smokers who were asymptomatic were taken participated. All participants were recruited on the basis of assessing FEV1/FEV6, measured by vitalograph; who diagnosed obstruction in screening test were underwent Gold Standard spirometry to diagnose airflow limitation. The mean age of participants was 22.71 ± 3.21. Out of 550, 53 have a FEV1/FEV6 ratio less than 70%, while 12 have a FEV1/FVC ratio less than 70%. It is therefore prudent to conclude that asymptomatic young college smokers experience obstruction unknowingly. These findings imply that the obstruction of the airway as a result of smoking can be attributed to the age bracket and can be discovered in its earliest stages, delaying the later onset of COPD and improving quality of life.