association of flavored electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) use with self-reported chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Results from the Population assessment of Tobacco and health (PaTh) study, Wave 4.

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a research paper examining the association between the use of flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and self-reported chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the Population assessment of Tobacco and health (PaTh) Study Wave 4 data. The study aims to identify the association of ENDS flavor categories with self-reported COPD.

Key Points:

* The study found that tobacco flavored ENDS use was significantly associated with self-reported COPD (aOR=2.05; 95% CI: 1.20--3.53) after adjusting for potential confounding variables.
* No significant associations with self-reported COPD were found for other examined ENDS flavor categories including menthol/mint, fruit, candy/desserts/other-sweets, and other flavors, compared to their corresponding non-users.
* The study used weighted multivariable logistic regression models to examine the association between different ENDS flavors and self-reported COPD considering complex sampling design.
* The study included 4909 adults from the PaTh Wave 4 data who were ever established ENDS users and responded to an item about diagnosis of COPD.
* The study defined former established ENDS users as those who have ever used any ENDS fairly regularly, have not used them within the past 12 months or are currently not using them.
* The study defined current established ENDS users as those who have ever used any ENDS and currently use them every day or some days.
* The study identified those with self-reported COPD at Wave 4 from the following question: 'has a doctor, nurse or other health professional told you that you have COPD?' and 'are you troubled by shortness of breath when hurrying on level ground or walking up a slight hill?'

Main Message:
The study found that tobacco flavored ENDS use was significantly associated with self-reported COPD in adults, after adjusting for potential confounding variables. Further studies are needed to confirm the biological and epidemiological association of flavored ENDS use with COPD. The study highlights the importance of considering the potential health risks associated with the use of different ENDS flavors, particularly in light of the growing popularity of these products among young adults and adolescents.

Shi h, Tavárez Zq, Xie Z, et al. association of flavored electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) use with self-reported chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Results from the Population assessment of Tobacco and health (PaTh) study, Wave 4. Tobacco induced diseases. 2020;18:82. doi:10.18332/tid/127238