Effect of Smoking Abstinence and Reduction in Asthmatic Smokers Switching to Electronic Cigarettes: Evidence for  Harm Reversal

Polosa, Riccardo; Morjaria, Jaymin; Caponnetto, Pasquale; Caruso, Massimo; Strano, Simona; Battaglia, Eliana; Russo, Cristina

doi:10.3390/ijerph110504965

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Effect of Smoking Abstinence and Reduction in Asthmatic Smokers Switching to Electronic Cigarettes: Evidence for Harm Reversal

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Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Catania, Catania 95125, Italy

Centro per la Prevenzione e Cura del Tabagismo (CPCT), Teaching Hospital "Policlinico-V. Emanuele", University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy

Department of Internal and Emergency Medicine, Teaching Hospital "Policlinico-V. Emanuele", University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy

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Department of Academic Respiratory Medicine, University of Hull, Castle Hill Hospital, Castle Road, Cottingham HU16 5JQ, UK

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2014, 11(5), 4965-4977; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph110504965

Received: 3 April 2014 / Revised: 24 April 2014 / Accepted: 30 April 2014 / Published: 8 May 2014

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electronic Cigarettes as a Tool in Tobacco Harm Reduction)

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Abstract

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are marketed as safer alternatives to tobacco cigarettes and have shown to reduce their consumption. Here we report for the first time the effects of e-cigs on subjective and objective asthma parameters as well as tolerability in asthmatic smokers who quit or reduced their tobacco consumption by switching to these products. We retrospectively reviewed changes in spirometry data, airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR), asthma exacerbations and subjective asthma control in smoking asthmatics who switched to regular e-cig use. Measurements were taken prior to switching (baseline) and at two consecutive visits (Follow-up/1 at 6 (±1) and Follow-up/2 at 12 (±2) months). Eighteen smoking asthmatics (10 single users, eight dual users) were identified. Overall there were significant improvements in spirometry data, asthma control and AHR. These positive outcomes were noted in single and dual users. Reduction in exacerbation rates was reported, but was not significant. No severe adverse events were noted. This small retrospective study indicates that regular use of e-cigs to substitute smoking is associated with objective and subjective improvements in asthma outcomes. Considering that e-cig use is reportedly less harmful than conventional smoking and can lead to reduced cigarette consumption with subsequent improvements in asthma outcomes, this study shows that e-cigs can be a valid option for asthmatic patients who cannot quit smoking by other methods. View Full-Text

Keywords: smoking cessation; electronic cigarette; asthma; lung function; methacholine challenge; harm reduction

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Polosa, R.; Morjaria, J.; Caponnetto, P.; Caruso, M.; Strano, S.; Battaglia, E.; Russo, C. Effect of Smoking Abstinence and Reduction in Asthmatic Smokers Switching to Electronic Cigarettes: Evidence for Harm Reversal. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2014, 11, 4965-4977. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph110504965

AMA Style

Polosa R, Morjaria J, Caponnetto P, Caruso M, Strano S, Battaglia E, Russo C. Effect of Smoking Abstinence and Reduction in Asthmatic Smokers Switching to Electronic Cigarettes: Evidence for Harm Reversal. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2014; 11(5):4965-4977. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph110504965

Chicago/Turabian Style

Polosa, Riccardo, Jaymin Morjaria, Pasquale Caponnetto, Massimo Caruso, Simona Strano, Eliana Battaglia, and Cristina Russo. 2014. "Effect of Smoking Abstinence and Reduction in Asthmatic Smokers Switching to Electronic Cigarettes: Evidence for Harm Reversal" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 11, no. 5: 4965-4977. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph110504965

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Effect of Smoking Abstinence and Reduction in Asthmatic Smokers Switching to Electronic Cigarettes: Evidence for Harm Reversal

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