Introduction: The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of cigarette smoking on serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) calcium levels in Chinese heavy smokers.Methods: One hundred and sixty-seven male subjects were divided into non-smokers (95) and heavy smokers (72). Serum and CSF calcium concentrations were assayed. Smoking status was recorded and the degree of nicotine dependence (FNTD) was assessed by questionnaire. Analysis of variance was performed to assess the differences among dichotomous groups. Partial correlations between calcium level and FNTD scores were calculated.Results: In this population-based study, heavy smokers had significantly lower serum calcium levels than did non-smokers (p < .01). There was no difference in CSF calcium levels between heavy smokers and non-smokers. The average number of cigarettes smoked per day contributed to the decreased serum calcium levels in heavy smokers, while the age of smoking onset and smoking years did not affect serum levels within the smoker group. Furthermore, serum calcium levels negatively correlated with FNTD items 1,4,5, 6 and total scores; however, no correlation between CSF calcium levels and FNTD scores was found. Conclusions: Serum calcium levels decreased significantly in Chinese heavy smokers and were associated with the average number of cigarettes smoked per day and the degree of nicotine dependence in heavy smokers.
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