Evaluation of C-reactive protein and hematological parameters in smokeless tobacco users: A comparative cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and hematological parameters among smokeless tobacco (SLT) users. METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the community level in the coastal districts of Sindh province namely Badin, Thatta, and Sujawal from January 2017 to December 2019. The CRP and hematological parameters were evaluated by well-established methods among SLT and non-SLT users. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between SLT users (mean CRP = 0.77) versus non-users (mean CRP = 0.18), p = <0.001. Among hematological parameters, white blood cells (SLT users median = 7.85 versus non-SLT users median = 8.50, p = 0.004), monocytes (SLT users median = 6.00 versus non-SLT users median = 6.00, p = 0.001) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (SLT users median = 15.00 versus non-SLT users median = 10.00, p = 0.006) showed statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Significantly elevated CRP was observed in SLT users similarly hematological parameters also showed changes. WBCs, monocytes and ESR were significantly deranged among SLT users. Further studies looking into long term effects of these changes would be helpful.