Background & Objective: Dyslipidemia is a key modifiable risk factor for ischemic heart disease, influenced by lifestyle-related factors such as smoking, hypertension, and diabetes, as well as age and sex. Smoking may synergistically worsen dyslipidemia, increasing cardiovascular risk. Given its high prevalence in Bangladesh, early screening is essential. This study examined the association between smoking and dyslipidemia.

Patients & Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, Rajshahi Medical College, in collaboration with the Institute of Biological Sciences, Rajshahi University, from 2017 to 2023. Adult male subjects aged 30–60 years attending the biochemistry laboratory for lipid profile testing were enrolled. Individuals with dyslipidemia were considered cases, while those with normal lipid profiles served as controls. Exclusion criteria included tobacco chewing, ex-smoking, comorbidities or medications affecting lipid levels, and obesity under dietary restriction. A total of 230 subjects were included. Smoking exposure was defined as smoking ≥5 cigarettes daily for ≥5 years. Dyslipidemia was defined as TC:HDL ratio >4.5 or TG:HDL ratio >3.5.

Results: Smoking was significantly associated with dyslipidemia. Smokers had over tenfold higher risk of hypercholesterolemia (95% CI: 6.1–17.8) and sixfold higher risk of elevated LDL (≥130 mg/dl; 95% CI: 3.5–9.9). The risk of low HDL (<40 mg/dl) was more than threefold higher (95% CI: 1.9–5.1). Smoking duration showed no significant correlation with lipid parameters. After adjustment using logistic regression, smoking and diabetes independently predicted dyslipidemia, each conferring over twofold increased risk.

Farhana Yasmin is an OSD, DGHS, Attachment, Lecturere, IHT, Bogura under Ministry of Health of family Welfare of Bangladesh.