AVA Synopsis:
The authors collected patient data from clinic visits. A baseline clinic visit was established and was the first clinical analysis, which was then preceded with two follow-up clinic visits. The authors identified 18 adult e-cigarette users, all of whom “were former tobacco smokers of about 20 conventional cigarettes/day.” Of the 18 patients, 10 were exclusive e-cigarette users and eight were dual users and smoked less than five cigarettes per day.
The authors examined the effects of smoking reduction in lung function including “changes in spirometry data, airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR), asthma exacerbations and subjective asthma control.”
The authors found that compared to the baseline clinic visit, “at 6 months there were significant improvements … at 12 months significant improvements were observed on all asthma outcomes measures.” Dual users of e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes also “had similar changes to the overall group at 6 months.” Both exclusive and dual users “had considerable improvements compared to baseline in all parameters” at 12 months.
A reduction in exacerbation rates was reported among participants, “but was not significant.” Further, participants reported no adverse reactions to e-cigarette use.
The authors conclude that the study demonstrates “that lung function of smokers with asthma may improve when stopping smoking for a sufficient period of time,” and that electronic cigarettes and vapor products “may help smokers reduce their cigarette consumption or remain abstinent and hence reduce the burden of smoking-related asthma problems.”
Implications:
The study provides two points of evidence. First, smokers are able to quit smoking by using e-cigarettes, and those who are dual users, have significantly reduced their cigarette consumption. Secondly, the study’s findings provide further evidence of the reduced harm of e-cigarettes. Policymakers should take this study into consideration when facing policies that would reduce access to adult users of e-cigarettes who have quit smoking by using vapor products.
Abstract:
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are marketed as safer alternatives to tobacco cigarettes and have shown to reduce their consumption. Here we report for the first time the effects of e-cigs on subjective and objective asthma parameters as well as tolerability in asthmatic smokers who quit or reduced their tobacco consumption by switching to these products. We retrospectively reviewed changes in spirometry data, airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR), asthma exacerbations and subjective asthma control in smoking asthmatics who switched to regular e-cig use. Measurements were taken prior to switching (baseline) and at two consecutive visits (Follow-up/1 at 6 (±1) and Follow-up/2 at 12 (±2) months). Eighteen smoking asthmatics (10 single users, eight dual users) were identified. Overall there were significant improvements in spirometry data, asthma control and AHR. These positive outcomes were noted in single and dual users. Reduction in exacerbation rates was reported, but was not significant. No severe adverse events were noted. This small retrospective study indicates that regular use of e-cigs to substitute smoking is associated with objective and subjective improvements in asthma outcomes. Considering that e-cig use is reportedly less harmful than conventional smoking and can lead to reduced cigarette consumption with subsequent improvements in asthma outcomes, this study shows that e-cigs can be a valid option for asthmatic patients who cannot quit smoking by other methods.
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