Status of some selected renal function indicators in cigarette smokers

In recent years, it has become apparent that smoking has a negative impact on renal function, being one of the most important avoidable renal risk factors. This study was aimed at assessing the renal function of cigarette smokers. The study was carried out on one hundred and sixty (160) subjects comprising of one hundred (100) cigarette smokers and sixty (60) apparently healthy non-smokers serving as control. Renal function was assessed by measuring the levels of plasma urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate using standard colorimetric methods as indicators. In this study, it was observed that there was no significant difference in the levels of urea, creatinine, chloride and bicarbonate when compared with control. There was significant increase (p < 0.05) in sodium level (143.76±5.45) when compared with control (139.85±4.03) (p < 0.05). There was a significant decrease in potassium level (3.86±0.54) when compared with control (4.08±0.49) (p < 0.05). Conclusively, Smoking has an acute increasing effect on plasma sodium levels and at the same time decreasing the plasma potassium level. We therefore suggest that clearance test be done on smokers for more detail assessment of their renal function.