Use of e-Cigarettes and Development of Respiratory Conditions in Women of Childbearing age.

Introduction:
This text analyzes the relationship between e-cigarette usage and the development of respiratory conditions, specifically asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), in women of childbearing age. The study uses data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2016-2017 and performs a cross-sectional analysis of e-cigarette use and self-reported respiratory conditions among women of childbearing age.

Key Points:

* The study uses data from the BRFSS 2016-2017, which includes over 400,000 participants and is administered in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and participating US territories.
* The primary dependent variables are self-reported asthma and COPD.
* The primary independent variable is smoking status, constructed based on e-cigarette user status and combustible cigarette smoking status.
* The study includes six subgroups for smoking status: non-smokers, former e-cigarette users without a history of combustible cigarette smoking, current e-cigarette users without a history of combustible cigarette smoking, current e-cigarette users with a history of combustible cigarette smoking, current combustible cigarette smoking without a history of e-cigarette use, and current dual users.
* Covariates include age, race/ethnicity, marital status, education level, annual household income, health insurance, body mass index, and binge drinking.
* The study finds that current e-cigarette users without a history of combustible cigarette smoking have 74% higher odds of asthma and current dual users have 2 times higher odds of asthma compared with nonsmokers.
* The odds of COPD are nearly 3 times higher for current e-cigarette users with a history of combustible cigarette smoking, and current dual users have 5 times higher odds of COPD compared with nonsmokers.

Main Message:
The study highlights the potential risks of e-cigarette usage, particularly in women of childbearing age. The results suggest that e-cigarette usage, even without a history of combustible cigarette smoking, is associated with an increased risk of developing respiratory conditions. The study emphasizes the need for clear communication and reevaluation of policies related to e-cigarettes to improve prevention efforts for women of childbearing age.

Parekh T, Owens C, Fay K, Phillips J, Kitsantas P. Use of e-Cigarettes and Development of Respiratory Conditions in Women of Childbearing age. Southern medical journal. 2020;113(10):488-494. doi:10.14423/SMJ.0000000000001158