Summary
Introduction:
This text provides a summary of a systematic review on the association between electronic cigarette use in children and adolescents and coughing. The review includes studies that examine the relationship between e-cigarette use and coughing in young people. The key points and main message of the text are outlined below.
Key Points:
* The use of electronic cigarettes among adolescents is increasing worldwide.
* E-cigarettes are marketed as a safe alternative to other tobacco products.
* Seven studies were selected for the review, three of which found an increased rate of coughing among e-cigarette users compared to non-users.
* E-cigarette aerosol contents are known to cause airway irritation, cough, phlegm, bronchitis, and bronchoconstriction.
* E-cigarettes with or without nicotine cause inflammation within the airways of e-cigarette users and inhibit lung innate immunity against viral infections.
* Adolescent e-cigarette users may also use other tobacco products.
* Six of the seven studies measured e-cigarette use as an outcome without measuring other tobacco use within the same outcome.
* The lack of heterogeneity for outcomes of e-cigarette use and coughing makes it difficult to directly compare studies.
Main Message:
The main message of the text is that there is evidence to suggest that e-cigarette use is associated with coughing in children and adolescents, and that e-cigarettes users are more likely to report coughing compared to non-users. The text highlights the need for further research to establish the long-term respiratory effects of e-cigarette use in young people, as well as the importance of regulating the marketing and sale of e-cigarettes to minors. Overall, the text emphasizes the need for caution in the use of e-cigarettes, particularly among young people.
Citation
Bourke M, Sharif N, Narayan O. Association between electronic cigarette use in children and adolescents and coughing a systematic review. Pediatric pulmonology. 2021;56(10):3402-3409. doi:10.1002/ppul.25619
