The adverse effects of cigarette smoking have been widely studied before, whilst the effects of hookah smoking has received less attention, although it is a common habit in the Middle East. Here we have investigated the effects of cigarette and hookah smoking on biochemical characteristics in a representative population sample derived from the Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerotic disorder (MASHAD) cohort study, from Northeastern Iran. A total of 9840 subjects from the MASHAD population study were allocated to five groups; non-smokers (6742), ex-smokers (976), cigarette smokers (864), hookah smokers (1067), concomitant cigarette and hookah smokers (41). Baseline characteristics were recorded in a questionnaire. Biochemical characteristics were measured by routine methods. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and p < 0.05 was considered significant. After adjustment for age and sex; the presence of CVD, obesity, metabolic syndrome, DM and dyslipidemia were significantly (p < 0.001) related to smoking status. After multivariate analysis, HDL (p < 0.001), WBC (p < 0.001), MCV (p < 0.05), PLT (p < 0.01) and RDW (p < 0.001), and the presence of CVD (p < 0.01), obesity (p < 0.001), metabolic syndrome (p < 0.05) and DM (p < 0.01) remained significant between cigarette smokers and non-smokers. Between hookah smokers and non-smokers; uric acid (p < 0.001), PLT (p < 0.05) and RDW (p < 0.05), and the presence of obesity (p < 0.01), metabolic syndrome (p < 0.001), diabetes (p < 0.01) and dyslipidemia (p < 0.01) remained significant after logistic regression. There was a positive association between hookah smoking and metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity and dyslipidemia which was not established in cigarette smoking.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), a non-communicable condition, stands as the primary cause of death globally. This study seeks to evaluate the predictive power of atherogenic indices, which are recognized for their influence on CVD, alongside a newly developed index encompassing all three principal risk factors for CVD, referred to as the triglyceride-total cholesterol-body weight index (TCBI). The primary outcomes evaluated include both the incidence and mortality rates associated with CVD. A prospective cohort study was conducted on Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerotic disorder (MASHAD) study data, involving 9704 healthy participants. Baseline variables were measured, and TCBI, Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP), Atherogenic Coefficient (AC), Castelli risk index I and II (CRI-I & II) were calculated using specific formulas. Following a 10-year follow-up period, a significant positive relationship was observed between TCBI (HR: 1.078, 95% CI: 1.012–1.15), CRI-I (HR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.007–1.337), and CRI-II (HR: 1.199, 95% CI: 1.001–1.437) with CVD mortality. However, no significant relationship was identified between TCBI and atherogenic indices related to CVD incidence, and neither AIP nor AC was associated with CVD mortality. In conclusion, TCBI, in contrast to AC and AIP, was linked to increased CVD mortality. However, the more substantial predictive capabilities of CRI-I and CRI-II compared to TCBI emphasize the importance of traditional atherogenic indices for accurate risk assessment. These findings underscore the necessity of enhancing the TCBI formula to improve its effectiveness in assessing CVD risk.