Investigation of the effect of using Maraşpowder (Nicotiana Rustica) on arterial stiffness by photoplethysmography

Aim: To evaluate atherosclerosis in Maraşpowder (MP) smokers by measuring pulse wave velocity (PWV) \rusing photoplethysmography.\rMethod: This study was carried out by forming two groups: MP smokers and a healthy control group. All \rparticipants underwent PWV using the photoplethysmography method. Student’s t-test, receiver operating \rcharacteristic curve, and regression analysis were performed on age and PWV data to assess arterial stiffness.\rResults: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of age, but the PWV \rvalues of the MP group were statistically significantly higher than those of the control group. The sensitivity \rand predictability of the cut-off value predicting MP smokers was quite high (100%). A logistic regression \ranalysis to determine the correlation of variables did not yield significant results.\rConclusion: As is the case with cigarette use, the use of MP negatively affects cardiovascular health. It is \rimportant to develop policies and strategies to warn society about this risk to protect people from irreversible \rharm to their health.\r