Design Overview
- The study is a cross-sectional community-based investigation that will compare markers of early or future cardiovascular disease and lung function in waterpipe (argile/shisha) smokers with those of individuals who have never smoked.
Study Participants:
- 220 waterpipe (argile/shisha) smoking individuals and 220 non-smokers will be invited to participate in the study from communities in Lebanon and Qatar.
- We would like to evaluate individuals with significant smoking history; those who have smoked waterpipes (argile/shisha) for more than 10 years.
- Cigarette smokers and patients with history of pulmonary disease (asthma, bronchiectasis, fibrosis), diabetes and renal failure will be excluded.
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:
Study Procedures:
- Study participants will be interviewed regarding their smoking habits and health status. Blood and urine will be collected for testing.
- The participants will undergo a chest CT scan to look for heart disease and a breathing test to measure their lung function.
