A Comparative Study on Smoking Index and Auditory Reaction Time

Background: Tobacco smoking is one of the most widely abused drugs among people of all ages. Because of the stimulant properties of its active ingredient nicotine, cigarettes are a factor that affects reaction time. The smoking index is a tool for determining how much people smoke. The smoking index [SI] is calculated by multiplying the average number of cigarettes/bidis smoked per day by the tobacco smoking duration (in years).

Study Objectives: To measure and compare auditory reaction time in smokers with different smoking index. To evaluate smoking index as a factor associated with auditory reaction time changes.

Methods: This study was done in MR Medical College, Kalaburgi after obtaining clearance from the institutional ethical committee. For the study, 50 apparently healthy male smokers between the ages of 40 and 60 were considered. The smoking history was obtained in detail, and the auditory reaction time was recorded using a Reaction Timer. Three readings were taken, and the average of the three readings was taken, with the student's t test utilised for analysis. Statistical significance was defined as a P value of less than 0.05.

Interpretation: In our investigation, we discovered that reaction time to high and low pitch sounds is increased in smokers with higher smoking indexes compared to smokers with lower smoking indexes, which contrasts many previous studies that found smoking causes a decrease in reaction time. Conclusion: We conclude our study by observing that the smoking index has an effect on the central nervous system, but because the majority of our study subjects are elderly (aged 51-60 years), this may have resulted in an increase in auditory reaction time.