E-cigarette use and respiratory disorders: an integrative review of converging evidence from epidemiological and laboratory studies

Abstract

BackgroundUse of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is prevalent among adolescents and young adults but there has been limited knowledge about health consequences in human populations. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of results on respiratory disorder from studies of general-population samples and consider the mapping of these results to findings about biological processes linked to e-cigarettes in controlled laboratory studies.MethodWe conduct a literature search and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies on the association of e-cigarette use with asthma and with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We then discuss findings from laboratory studies about effects of e-cigarettes on four biological processes: cytotoxicity, oxidative stress/inflammation, susceptibility to infection, and genetic expression.ResultsEpidemiological studies, both cross-sectional and longitudinal, show a significant association of e-cigarette use with asthma and COPD, controlling for cigarette smoking and other covariates. For asthma (n=15 studies), the pooled adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was 1.39 (CI 1.28–1.51); for COPD (n=9 studies) the AOR was 1.49 (CI 1.36–1.65). Laboratory studies consistently show an effect of e-cigarettes on biological processes related to respiratory harm and susceptibility to illness, with e-cigarette conditions differing significantly from clean-air controls though sometimes less than for cigarettes.ConclusionsThe evidence from epidemiological studies meets established criteria for consistency, strength of effect, temporality, and in some cases a dose-response gradient. Biological plausibility is indicated by evidence from multiple laboratory studies. We conclude that e-cigarette use has consequences for asthma and COPD, which is of significant concern for respirology and public health.

Dripping Technology Use Among Young Adult E-Cigarette Users

“…These findings point to the importance of gaining a greater understanding of the drivers and consequences of vaping and dripping behavior and the potential health consequences of dripping, particularly given concerns about respiratory effects. 28 Our results are important for identifying the prevalence of dripping within a young adult sample. In our survey, over 2 in 5 young adult ENDS users reported dripping.…”

COVID-19 und Rauchen

“…E-Zigaretten können die Lungenfunktion beeinträchtigen [83], zu chronischen Lungenkrankheiten prädisponieren [84][85][86][87] und dadurch vermehrte Infektionen oder schwerere COVID-19-Erkrankungen induzieren. Zusätzlich kann das Übertragungsrisiko auch dadurch gesteigert werden, dass mit dem Rauchen ein häufiger Hand-Mund-Kontakt einhergeht oder dass E-Zigaretten im sozialen Kontakt von mehreren infizierten Personen benutzt werden [88,89].…”

Tabakentwöhnung – wirksam und kosteneffektiv

“…Einzelne toxische Produkte sind in den E-Zigaretten sogar höher als in konventionellen Zigaretten. Neuere klinische und experimentelle Untersuchungen belegen gesundheitsschädliche Effekte für die Lunge, das Herz-Kreislauf-System und das angeborene Immunsystem [12,13]. Tierexperimentell werden auch kanzerogene Wirkungen gefunden.…”

“…Dies könnte die Rückfallgefahr steigern. Als Folge der fortgesetzten Nikotinabhängigkeit rauchen viele E-Zigaretten-Konsumenten nebenher weiter Tabak (dual use) [13].…”