Lung function changes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma exposed to secondhand smoke in outdoor areas

Abstract

Background: Further evidence is needed on the effects that short-and long-term exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) have on the respiratory health of patients with lung disease.Within the TackSHS project we aimed to assess the acute respiratory effects in lung function that result from short-term SHS exposure among patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods:The study design was an intervention trial with measurements before/after exposure to SHS in legal outdoor smoking areas. We studied patients with asthma or COPD from Czechia, Ireland, and Spain. Forced spirometry, peak flow and carbon monoxide (CO) measurements were performed pre-and 24 hours post-exposure.Results: Overall, 60 patients were studied, 30 with asthma, and 30 with COPD; 35 (58.3%) were female. There were no significant differences observed in exhaled CO between pre-and 24 hours post-exposure neither in women (p =0.210), nor in men (p=0.169).A statistically significant decrease in forced vital capacity (FVC) was seen, overall, in asthma participants (p=0.02) and in forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), (p=0.02), FVC (p=0.04) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) (p=0.04) in female asthmatic participants. The observed decreases in respiratory measurements in COPD were not significant. There were no reported increases in symptoms, respiratory medication, or use of health services 24 hours after the exposure. Conclusion:We conclude that acute, short-term SHS exposure had a statistically significant effect on spirometry in female asthma patients but did not significantly modify spirometric indices 24 hours later in COPD patients.

Secondhand smoke exposure assessment in outdoor hospitality venues across 11 European countries

“…Previous literature has shown that even brief SHS exposures could impair several biological mechanisms leading to detrimental health effects on non-smokers ( Flouris et al, 2010 ). Therefore, despite smoking being restricted, SHS exposure levels might still represent a threat to health, especially in the case of vulnerable populations attending hospitality venues ( Keogan et al, 2020 ), and for those who are exposed on a regular basis, such as hospitality workers.…”

How Do Combustion and Non-Combustion Products Used Outdoors Affect Outdoor and Indoor Particulate Matter Levels? A Field Evaluation Near the Entrance of an Italian University Library

“…All these results together with those obtained in the present study demonstrate that the common understanding that smoking outdoor is safe must be considered wrong as it leads to the possibility of passive smoke exposure for those close to smokers. In particular, it has been proved that people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), who are exposed to short-term SHS in outdoor areas, have a worsening in respiratory parameters [36]. It would be interesting to study the effects of outdoor long-term ETS exposure both in these subjects and in healthy non-smokers.…”

Friends and family matter Most: a trend analysis of increasing e-cigarette use among Irish teenagers and socio-demographic, personal, peer and familial associations

“…Currently, concerns about e-cigarette harms include negative impact on cardiovascular health [ 7 ] and potential hazards such as obstructive lung disease from flavorants in e-cigarettes [ 8 ]. Passive exposure to second hand aerosol (SHA) from e-cigarettes is also a cause for concern, especially among those with respiratory diseases such as COPD [ 9 , 10 ], and symptoms of sensory irritation, and general complaints have been reported by non-smokers [ 11 ].…”