Summary
Introduction:
This text provides a summary of a study that examines the relationship between tobacco use and cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence in the Population assessment of Tobacco and health (PaTh) Study. The study analyzes data from Waves 1 to 5 of the PaTh Study, spanning from 2013 to 2019, to compare CVD incidence among adults aged 40 and older who were exclusive combustible-tobacco users or never users of tobacco at baseline. The study groups participants into five categories based on their tobacco use behavior, including continuing exclusive combustible-tobacco users, exclusive combustible-tobacco users who transitioned to exclusive electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use, exclusive combustible-tobacco users who transitioned to dual use of ENDS and combustible-tobacco, exclusive combustible-tobacco users who quit using tobacco, and never users of tobacco.
Key Points:
* The study analyzed data from Waves 1 to 5 of the PaTh Study, spanning from 2013 to 2019.
* Participants were grouped into five categories based on their tobacco use behavior.
* CVD incidence was measured at each wave using a series of questions about congestive heart failure, stroke, heart attack, and other heart conditions.
* The study used generalized estimating equations (GEE) regression analysis, adjusting for CVD risk factors to account for multiple observations for the same individual.
* The study found no significant differences in CVD incidence between any tobacco user groups compared to never users of tobacco.
* There were no observations of CVD among exclusive combustible-tobacco users who transitioned to exclusive ENDS use.
* The study notes the limitations of the analysis, including the small sample size of exclusive ENDS users and the limited interval of follow-up.
Main Message:
The study found no significant differences in CVD incidence between any tobacco user groups compared to never users of tobacco. The results suggest that transitioning to exclusive use of ENDS may not significantly change the odds of CVD incidence after one year. however, the study notes the limitations of the analysis, including the small sample size of exclusive ENDS users and the limited interval of follow-up. Therefore, additional waves of PaTh Study data, combined with information from other large longitudinal cohorts with careful tracking of ENDS use patterns, may help to further clarify this relationship. Overall, the study highlights the need for further research on the health effects of ENDS use and its potential impact on CVD incidence.
Citation
Mahoney MC, Rivard C, Kimmel hL, et al. Cardiovascular Outcomes among Combustible-Tobacco and Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) Users in Waves 1 through 5 of the Population assessment of Tobacco and health (PaTh) Study, 2013-2019. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2022;19(7). doi:10.3390/ijerph19074137
