Effects of Khat (Catha Edulis) on Bronchial Asthma

Introduction: Asthma is a chronic infl ammatory disorder of the airways.It is always being a health burden across the globe.The active chemical present in Khat could have a bronchodilator effect like that of catecholamine.The present study aims at determining the effect of khat chewing on bronchial asthma and lung function.Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Jimma University Specialized Hospital (JUSH) Adult Chest Clinic on 170 asthmatic patients with a 1.4 to 1 ratio of non-chewer to chewer.The interviewer-administered questionnaire, patient history and pulmonary function test using Spirometer were used to collect data.Result: Of 170 asthmatic patients, 72 were khat chewers and 98 were nonchewers.Frequent asthmatic symptoms were seen in 23 (31.9%) of chewers and 43 (43.9%) of nonchewer (χ 2 =2.488, p=0.11).A less frequent use of β 2 agonist was observed on 42 (58.3%) of chewers and 53 (54.1%) of nonchewer patients (χ 2 =12.678, p=0.12).Less frequent night-time awake and chewing status was found to be positively associated [AOD=2.633,CI (1.778, 3.059)].The mean predicted personal best of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1 %) for chewers and nonchewer was 62% and 46% respectively while their PEFR% was 40% and 26% respectively.Conclusion: apart from psycho stimulating prosperities, khat has moderate potential benefi t for the improvement of episodes of an asthma attack and reduction of asthmatic symptoms.This study showed that chewer asthmatic patients had relatively better PEFR and also relatively lesser recurrent night-time awake due to an asthmatic attack.