Year: 2026 | Month: January | Volume: 16 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 6-15
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260102
The Effect of Tobacco Smoking on Kidney Functions of Hypertensive Patients
Yashoda R. Kattimani1, Suvarna Samat2, Ravindra M Kattimani3, Sandeep Rai4, Rita M. Khadkikar5
1Professor, Department of Physiology, MGM Medical College, Vashi, MGMIHS, Navi Mumbai
2Medical Resident, Department of Physiology, MGM Medical College, Kamothe, MGMIHS, Navi Mumbai.
3Associate Professor, Department of General Surgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences ยท Vashi, Navi Mumbai.
4Professor, Department of General Medicine, MGM Medical College, Kamothe, MGMIHS, Navi Mumbai
5Professor, Department of Physiology, MGM Medical College, Kamothe, MGMIHS, Navi Mumbai
Corresponding Author: Yashoda R. Kattimani
ABSTRACT
Background: Hypertension is a global public health crisis and a primary risk factor for chronic cardiovascular and renal diseases. Tobacco smoking, a major preventable cause of hypertension, introduces harmful substances like nicotine that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system. This triggers vasoconstriction, increases blood pressure, and reduces the glomerular filtration rate. This study aims to evaluate the impact of smoking on renal function parameters among hypertensive patients.
Materials and Methods: This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at MGM Medical College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai. The study population comprised 110 hypertensive patients, equally divided into two groups: smokers (n=55) and non-smokers (n=55). Renal function parameters and blood pressure were measured and compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16, utilizing independent t-tests to compare mean values.
Results: The smoker group exhibited significantly higher blood pressure levels compared to the non-smoker group. The mean systolic blood pressure was 156.87 mmHg in smokers versus 150.25 mmHg in non-smokers (p = 0.0083), while mean diastolic blood pressure was 90.98 mmHg versus 88.36 mmHg (p = 0.02578).
Regarding renal function, smokers showed significantly elevated levels of mean serum urea (72.41 mg/dl) compared to non-smokers (44.08 mg/dl, p < 0.05). Mean serum creatinine was also significantly higher in smokers (1.25 mg/dl) than in non-smokers (0.91 mg/dl, p < 0.05). Notably, urine albumin was detected at Grade 3 (+++) in the smoker group, whereas it was absent in the non-smoker group. Serum uric acid levels showed no statistically significant difference between the groups (5.42 mg/dl in smokers vs. 5.39 mg/dl in non-smokers).
Conclusion: The findings indicate that smoking significantly exacerbates hypertension and impairs renal function, as evidenced by elevated serum urea, creatinine, and marked albuminuria. While baseline physical characteristics remained similar across groups, the biochemical divergence highlights that smoking acts as a potent independent risk factor for kidney damage in hypertensive individuals.
Key words: Hypertension, Smoking, Nicotine, Renal function tests, Non-smoker