Acute respiratory responses to the use of e-cigarette: an intervention study

Sci Rep. 2019 May 2;9(1):6844. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-43324-1.

Abstract

The goal of our study was to assess acute respiratory responses to using e-cigarettes in exclusive e-cigarette users (E-Group) and dual users (T/E-Group) and to compare these effects with responses to smoking tobacco-cigarettes in tobacco smokers (T-Group). The study included 120 adults (age: 21.7 ± 2.1 years) divided into 4 groups (n = 30 each): Controls, T-, E-, T/E-Group. Spirometric status, O2 saturation, exhaled FeNO levels, exhaled CO levels, and airway temperature were assessed before the use of an e-cigarette (E-, T/E-Group) or tobacco cigarette as well as 'minute 1' and 'minute 30' after smoking. Controls used an e-cigarette without e-liquid. Lower (p < 0.05) baseline values of FeNO were found in T-Group (15.4 ppb) and in T/E-Group (15.0 ppb) than in Controls (19.6 ppb). Following exposure, and compared with Controls, T-, and T/E-Group had a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in PEF and MEF75. Mean FeNO values decreased on 'minute 1' in T-Group (by 2.1 ppb), E-Group (by 1.5 ppb) and in T/E-Group (by 2.2 ppb). Other effects included increase in temperature of exhaled air (p < 0.05). The use of e-cigarettes is associated with decreased FeNO and airflow indices (PEF, MEF75), but an increase in airway temperature. These changes are similar to those after exposure to tobacco cigarette smoke.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Breath Tests
  • Carbon Monoxide / blood
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems*
  • Exhalation / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung / drug effects
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Nitric Oxide / blood
  • Oxygen / blood
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome
  • Spirometry
  • Temperature
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Nitric Oxide
  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Oxygen