Electronic cigarette use is associated with depressive symptoms among smokers and former smokers: Cross-sectional and longitudinal findings from the Constances cohort.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a study examining the relationship between electronic cigarette (e-cig) use and depressive symptoms in a large population-based sample. The study aims to investigate cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between e-cig use and depressive symptoms, while also considering the role of smoking status and nicotine concentration. The key points and main message of the study are summarized below.

Key Points:

* The study used data from the Constances cohort, a large population-based sample of adults in France.
* Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale.
* The study examined both cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between e-cig use and depressive symptoms.
* adjustments were made for age, sex, and education in the analysis.
* The study found that e-cig use was positively associated with depressive symptoms in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.
* The association between e-cig use and depressive symptoms was stronger in current and former smokers compared to never smokers.
* among e-cig users, there was a positive association between nicotine concentration and depressive symptoms.
* The study also found that higher levels of depressive symptoms were positively associated with dual consumption of tobacco and e-cig at follow-up among smokers, and with e-cig use only at follow-up among former smokers.

Main Message:
The study found that e-cig use was positively associated with depressive symptoms in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. These findings suggest that e-cig use may be a risk factor for depressive symptoms, particularly in current and former smokers. additionally, the study found that nicotine concentration was positively associated with depressive symptoms among e-cig users. These results highlight the importance of considering the potential mental health impacts of e-cig use, particularly in the context of smoking cessation. Further research is needed to better understand the nature and direction of these mechanisms. In the meantime, the study recommends screening for depression as a routine procedure among e-cig users.

Wiernik E, airagnes G, Lequy E, et al. Electronic cigarette use is associated with depressive symptoms among smokers and former smokers: Cross-sectional and longitudinal findings from the Constances cohort. addictive Behaviors. 2019;90:85-91. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.10.021