What is Vaping?
Vaping refers to inhaling and exhaling aerosolized particles from an e-cigarette. An e-cigarette is an electronic device filled with a nicotine-based liquid that is vaporized when the device is used.
Vaping was initially hailed as an important innovation. It was believed smokers could use e-cigarettes as an alternative to tobacco. This would reduce exposure to nicotine, tar, and other hazardous substances.
What’s more, many smokers considered vaping soothing, giving them “something to do with their hands” and a way to react in stressful situations where they would usually smoke. Some people succeeded in using vaping as a stepping stone to quit smoking.
With that said, the long term effects of vaping have not been fully studied. While many individuals view vaping as a step in the right direction to eliminate smoking, more research needs to be compiled on the effects it can have on individuals and society as a whole.
What Conditions is Vaping Associated With?
The unique condition associated with vaping is referred by the new medical acronym EVALI.
It stands for E-Cigarette or Vaping Associated Lung Injury.
As of October 22, 2019, 34 known deaths were associated with EVALI. The median age of victims was 45 and 59% of them were men.
In total, nearly 2,300 cases of EVALI were reported to the CDC by November 20, 2019. All 50 states have been affected except Alaska.
Samples of lung tissue taken from victims have tested positive for high amounts of vitamin E acetate, a toxin in some vaping products. Vitamin E acetate is believed to be safe when used in nutritional supplements or skincare products, but not when ingested.
Lung damage caused by EVALI can cause symptoms similar to pneumonia. Damage to the lungs makes it difficult for the body to take in oxygen and distribute it throughout the body.
EVALI is distinct from, but related to, bronchiolitis obliterans – also known as popcorn lung. This is an inflammatory condition that affects the tiniest airways within the lungs. Inflammation can lead to scarring that blocks airways, causing coughing and shortness of breath.
What Research Currently Exists Around Vaping?
The association between vaping and EVALI is already an established scientific fact. However, it is not yet clear exactly what risk factors contribute to the development of EVALI.
Current research focuses on finding a definitive answer for what chemicals or other factors may be responsible for EVALI. This will help the medical community understand why some e-cigarette enthusiasts are affected and others are not, paving the way for effective treatment.
Why Are Further Vaping Clinical Trials Important?
Vaping clinical trials will be essential to the long-term health and quality of life of those affected by EVALI or popcorn lung. Evidence of disease has been found in teens as well as elderly adults.
Unfortunately, there is no treatment capable of reversing the lung damage caused by EVALI. As with other pervasive lung disorders, such as COPD, therapies are likely to focus on preserving healthy lung function.
Current Vaping Clinical Trials
This is the current list of active vaping clinical trials on record with ClinicalTrials.gov.
Patients are advised to watch this space carefully, since new clinical resources for vaping health are being developed rapidly.
- Switching to E-cigarette After PCIon April 1, 2024 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Coronary Artery Disease Interventions: Behavioral: Smoking cessation; Behavioral: Switching to E-cigarette Sponsors: Samsung Medical Center Recruiting
- Social Media Anti-Vaping Messages to Reduce ENDS Use Among Sexual and Gender Minority Teenson March 13, 2024 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Vaping; Adolescent Behavior; Communication Research Interventions: Other: Tailored Sponsors: Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine; University of Florida Recruiting
- The Impact of E-cigarettes During Pregnancy on Childhood Health Outcomes Studyon March 6, 2024 at 5:00 am
Conditions: Vaping; Pregnancy Related; Pediatric Respiratory Diseases Sponsors: University College Dublin; Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland Recruiting
- Vaping Adverse Lung and Heart Events Cohorton March 4, 2024 at 5:00 am
Conditions: Vaping; Electronic Cigarette Use Interventions: Other: Vaping Sponsors: Laval University; Ministere de la Sante et des Services Sociaux Recruiting
- Adapting an Intervention for Vaping in Young Veteranson January 9, 2024 at 5:00 am
Conditions: E Cigarette Use Interventions: Behavioral: adapted vaping cessation intervention Sponsors: Veterans Medical Research Foundation; University of California Recruiting
- Sex Differences in the Vascular Effects of E-cigarette Useon December 7, 2023 at 5:00 am
Conditions: E-cigarette Use Interventions: Drug: Local heating + L-NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester; nitric oxide synthase inhibitor); Other: Chronic estrogen exposure Sponsors: Anna Stanhewicz, PhD Recruiting
- Effects of Social Media Use on Young Adults' E-Cigarette Useon November 22, 2023 at 5:00 am
Conditions: Electronic Cigarette Use Interventions: Behavioral: Social Media Use Reduction Sponsors: University of Oklahoma; Stanford University; University of Southern California; University of Wisconsin, Madison; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Recruiting
- Trial for Harm Reduction With Incentives & Vaping E-cigaretteson November 1, 2023 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Obesity; Smoking Cessation Interventions: Other: ENDS; Other: CI; Other: No ENDS; Other: NI Sponsors: Brown University; National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Recruiting
- Evaluation of the Electronic Cigarette Withdrawal Syndromeon October 4, 2023 at 4:00 am
Conditions: E-cigarette Use; Withdrawal Interventions: Drug: Transdermal Nicotine Patch; Drug: Placebo Nicotine Patch Sponsors: Johns Hopkins University; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Recruiting
- Nicotine and Pavlovian Biason September 7, 2023 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Nicotine Vaping; Nicotine Dependence Interventions: Drug: Nicotine; Other: Placebo Sponsors: University of Southern California Recruiting
- Concurrent vs. Sequential Cessation of Dual Cigarette and E-cigarette Useon September 7, 2023 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Cigarette Smoking; E-Cigarette Use; Smoking Cessation Interventions: Drug: Varenicline; Behavioral: Counseling; Behavioral: Guided Self-Change Booklets Sponsors: Yale University; National Cancer Institute (NCI) Recruiting
- Promotion and Mitigation Factors Leading to Illegal Tobacco Purchaseson August 21, 2023 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Cigarette Smoking; Nicotine Vaping Interventions: Behavioral: Promotion factors; Behavioral: Mitigation strategies Sponsors: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Medical University of South Carolina Recruiting
Conclusion
It is not yet known whether EVALI represents a widespread health risk that could affect millions of users or is isolated to certain products or practices. Whatever the case, thousands of people face severe health effects right now.
Today’s vaping clinical trials will be essential to the health of former and future e-cigarette users. Being aware of the potential risks of vaping – and making family and friends aware of those risks – is advisable as more information becomes available.
Sources
- https://www.centeronaddiction.org/e-cigarettes/recreational-vaping/what-vaping
- https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/vaping-devices-electronic-cigarettes
- https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/p1028-first-analysis-lung-injury-deaths.html
- https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/9551/bronchiolitis-obliterans
- https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6841e3.htm?s_cid=mm6841e3_w