Second-hand exposure to electronic nicotine delivery systems aerosols may be related to asthma symptoms in youth. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Secondhand exposure to aerosols from electronic nicotine delivery systems and asthma exacerbations among youth with asthma.
Chest. 2018 Oct 22. Epub 2018 Oct 22. PMID: 30359612
Jennifer E Bayly
BACKGROUND: Current research suggests an association of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use with asthma symptoms in youth, but little is known about the association of secondhand ENDS aerosol exposure and asthma control. The present study examines the relationship of secondhand ENDS aerosol exposure and asthma exacerbations among youth with asthma.
METHODS: Youth who participated in the 2016 Florida Youth Tobacco survey (aged 11-17 years) with a self-reported diagnosis of asthma (n= 11,830) reported asthma attacks in the past 12 months, demographics, cigarette use, cigar use, hookah use, ENDS use, past-30-day secondhand smoke exposure, and past-30-day secondhand ENDS aerosol exposure. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association between secondhand ENDS aerosol exposure and past-12-month asthma attack status, adjusting for covariates.
RESULTS: Overall, 21% of youth with asthma reported having an asthma attack in the past 12 months and 33% reported secondhand ENDS aerosol exposure. Secondhand ENDS aerosol exposure was associated with higher odds of reporting an asthma attack in the past 12 months, adjusting for covariates (AOR 1.27, 95% CI 1.11, 1.47).
CONCLUSIONS: Secondhand exposure to ENDS aerosols may be related to asthma symptoms in youth. Physicians may need to counsel asthmatic youth regarding the potential risks of exposure. Future research is needed to evaluate the longitudinal relationship between secondhand ENDS aerosols exposure and asthma control.