E-cigarette smoking is linked with cardiovascular disorders

TOPIC: Tobacco Cessation and Prevention TYPE: Original Investigations PURPOSE: Since the first launch of e-cigarette in 2003, their use has been drastically increasing every day. As per CDC, vapes, vaporizers, vape pens, hookah pens, electronic cigarettes, and e-pipes are some of the many terms used to describe electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). These have been marketed as safer alternatives to traditional smoking. Considering the increasing use, there is little evidence on the effect of e-cigarette use in cardiac conditions. We aim to identify the prevalence of e-cigarette smoking and the association between e-cigarette smoking and cardiovascular disorders (CVDs). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study using the NHANES (National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey) database from 2015 to 2018. We assessed CVDs (MCQ160c) and smoking status (E-cigarette:SMQ900 and SMQ905, Traditional smoking:SMQ020, and Dual smoking:e-cigarette+Traditional smoking) using the questionnaire in the NHANES database. We conducted univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis to find an association between CVDs and e-cigarette smoking and compare the risk between e-cigarette, traditional, and dual smoking. RESULTS: Out of 79,825 individuals included, 7756 (9.72%) were e-cigarette smokers, 48,625 (60.91%) were traditional smokers, and 23444 (29.37%) were dual smokers. The prevalence of cardiovascular disorders was 1.48% in the e-cigarette, 8.54% in traditional, and 4.20% in dual smokers. (p<0.0001) In the last 30-days, 7932 (25.46%) of the survey respondents had a smoked e-cigarette. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, respondents with CVDs had higher odds of e-cigarette smoking in comparison with traditional smoking (aOR:3.01; 95%CI: 3.0-3.02; p<0.0001). Similarly, respondents with CVDs had higher odds of dual smoking in comparison with traditional smoking (aOR:10.10; 95%CI: 10.08-10.12; p<0.0001). Respondents who smoked an e-cigarette in the last 30-days were associated with CVDs in comparison to those who had not smoked. (aOR:2.80; 95%CI: 2.79-2.80; p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: There is a lower prevalence of CVDs in e-cigarette smokers compared to other smoking modalities. But, higher odds of e-cigarette smoking amongst respondents with CVDs create concerns for the safety of e-cigarette smoking. These findings signify the need for further research and early interventions for risk mitigation. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Since 2003, the use of e-cigarettes has been drastically increasing, considering its safe nature compared to traditional smoking. Considering such increasing use, there is not much data proving the safety of e-cigarettes. On the contrary, there are higher odds of having e-cigarette smoking prevalent among respondents with CVDs. These findings surely raise doubts about the safety of E-cigarettes, depicting a need for further research. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Nawal Ali, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Abbas Altamimi, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Kalindi Bambhania, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Shubhi Jain, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Nida Khan, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Sowmya Madireddy, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Preeti Malik, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Urvish Patel, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Suveenkrishna Pothuru, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Rizwan Rabbani, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Abdur Raheem, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Jigisha Rakholiya, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Karanrajsinh Raol, source=Web Response