E-Cigarette Usage and arthritis in the United States, a Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a study examining the potential link between e-cigarette usage and the risk of developing inflammatory arthritis in the United States. The study uses data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to draw its conclusions.

Key Points:

* The study found that current e-cigarette users had a higher risk of inflammatory arthritis compared to never e-cigarette users.
* The association was consistent in both sole e-cigarette users and dual users (those who use both e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes).
* The study controlled for various potential confounding factors, including age, sex, race, education levels, annual income, and body mass index.
* The association was stronger in younger participants and males.
* E-cigarette use may increase inflammation and citrullination locally in pulmonary/oral mucosa or systemically, thereby inducing arthritis-related autoimmunity.
* Nicotine, the main constituent in e-cigarettes, may have a pathogenic role in the development of arthritis diseases.
* The study has some limitations, including the cross-sectional nature of the data, which precludes drawing firm conclusions about the temporality of the observed risk factor associations.

Main Message:
The study suggests a potential link between e-cigarette usage and the risk of developing inflammatory arthritis, particularly in younger participants and males. While the study has some limitations, the findings highlight the need for further research into the potential health impacts of e-cigarette usage. Public policies regulating the sale, marketing, and use of e-cigarettes may be necessary to improve overall health and reduce the prevalence of arthritis diseases in the United States.

Tian Y, Jiao Z, Mao Y, Zhang Z. E-Cigarette Usage and arthritis in the United States, a Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey. Frontiers in pharmacology. 2022;13:883550. doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.883550