The Emerging Cloud: a survey of vapers, their health and utilization of healthcare within the UK.
QJM
; 116(12): 993-1001, 2023 Dec 27.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37738584
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Recent work in the UK estimated the prevalence of current cannabinoid-based vaping to be higher than in the USA, a factor previously associated with e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI). Research in the USA has demonstrated that attendances to emergency departments relating to e-cigarettes began to rise before the EVALI outbreak, suggesting that vapers also experience milder forms of vaping-related illness.AIM:
Quantify symptom prevalence and healthcare utilization amongst current UK vapers.DESIGN:
Voluntary online survey of individuals aged 16 and over within the UK.METHODS:
Anonymized data were collected on demographics, vaping/smoking status and vaping substances used. Current vapers were asked about the presence of 10 prevalent symptoms from previous US EVALI case series, healthcare attendances and diagnoses given. Risk-ratios were calculated to compare the likelihood of symptoms and attendances between substances.RESULTS:
A total of 2477 complete responses were analysed. In all, 397 respondents were current vapers. Symptom prevalence within the previous 12 months ranged from 3.8% to 30.5% (bloody sputum, cough). Healthcare attendances per symptomatic respondent ranged from 0.1 to 1.4 (bloody sputum, shortness of breath). Current vapers of cannabinoid-based products (alone/in combination) had the most attendances per symptomatic respondent for 9/10 symptoms and were more likely to report symptoms aside from 'cough' (nicotine-free e-liquids [risk ratio = 1.7]). Clinicians reportedly never diagnosed vaping-related illness.CONCLUSIONS:
UK vapers experience symptoms previously reported in EVALI cases for which they also seek healthcare. Users of cannabinoid-based products were more likely to report symptoms and accounted for a higher healthcare burden. UK vapers may also experience vaping-related illness that does not meet EVALI case criteria.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Canabinoides
/
Lesão Pulmonar
/
Sistemas Eletrônicos de Liberação de Nicotina
Tipo de estudo:
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
QJM
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido