Link found between e-cigarette use and early onset of asthma in adults
Last reviewed: 14.06.2024
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Researchers from UTHealth Houston reported a significant association between e-cigarette use and earlier age at onset of asthma among U.S. Adults, findings published in JAMA Network Open.
Led by first author Adriana Perez, PhD, MS, professor of biostatistics and data science at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, the study found that adults who were asthma-free at baseline and reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days increased the risk of developing asthma at an earlier age by 252%.
"Although previous studies have reported that e-cigarette use increases the risk of asthma, our study was the first to examine the age of asthma onset," said Perez, who also works in Michael and Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living at the School of Public Health. "Measuring the potential risk of earlier age of asthma onset associated with e-cigarette use in the past 30 days may help people avoid starting use or motivate them to stop."
The team of researchers analyzed secondary data from the Tobacco and Population Health Assessment Study, a national longitudinal study of tobacco use and its impact on the health of adults and youth in the United States.
“The study results highlight the need for further research, particularly regarding the impact of e-cigarette use on youth and its association with early onset asthma and other respiratory diseases,” Perez said.
"This also highlights the importance of modifying screening guidelines to include recent use of e-cigarettes, which may lead to earlier detection and treatment of asthma, reducing morbidity and mortality associated with this disease."
Perez said the study highlights the need to address asthma, which causes $300 billion in annual losses due to missed school or work days, deaths and medical costs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tobacco regulation, prevention and intervention campaigns, and cessation programs are needed to prevent early onset asthma due to e-cigarette use, the authors wrote.