Electronic cigarette use and its association with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome among never cigarette smokers.

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a research paper titled "Tobacco Induced Diseases" that examines the association between electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use and self-reported diagnosis of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (aCOS) among never cigarette smokers. The study uses cross-sectional data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from 2016 to 2018 and employs propensity score matching to analyze the data.

Key Points:

* The study found that e-cigarette users had increased odds of self-reported aCOS, asthma, and COPD compared with never e-cigarette users.
* The study used cross-sectional data from the BRFSS from 2016 to 2018 and employed propensity score matching to analyze the data.
* The sample consisted of 4368 e-cigarette users and 4368 never e-cigarette users matched on age, sex, race/ethnicity, and education level.
* asthma and COPD were measured by self-reported diagnosis, and respondents who reported having both diagnoses were then classified as having aCOS.
* The study controlled for marital status and employment in addition to matching variables.
* The odds ratios for self-reported aCOS, asthma, and COPD among e-cigarette users were 2.27, 1.26, and 1.44, respectively.
* The study suggests that e-cigarette use is associated with an increased odds of self-reported asthma, COPD, and aCOS among never combustible cigarette smokers.

Main Message:
The study provides valuable insights into the association between e-cigarette use and self-reported diagnosis of asthma, COPD, and aCOS among never cigarette smokers. The findings suggest that e-cigarette use is associated with an increased odds of self-reported asthma, COPD, and aCOS among never combustible cigarette smokers. however, the study's cross-sectional design cannot establish a causal relationship between e-cigarette use and the three lung diseases. Therefore, future longitudinal studies are needed to validate these findings. Overall, the study highlights the importance of regulating e-cigarette use, especially among never cigarette smokers, to prevent potential adverse health outcomes.

Bircan E, Bezirhan U, Porter a, Fagan P, Orloff MS. Electronic cigarette use and its association with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome among never cigarette smokers. Tobacco induced diseases. 2021;19:75. doi:10.18332/tid/142579