247: EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVALENCE OF LUNG DISEASE AMONG E-CIGARETTE USERS IN THE USA: A NATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Although e-cigarette contains toxins like formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, metallic nanoparticles, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene etc., over 250 flavors and over 500 competing brands exist in the market promoting vaping as a safer alternative than traditional smoking. Aim of the study was to evaluate epidemiological characteristics and prevalence of lung disease amongst e-cigarette users in the USA. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional survey was performed using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 2015-2018. Adults using e-cigarettes, traditional smoking [>100 cigarettes in lifetime], and dual smoking were identified and their sociodemographic characteristics and prevalence of lung diseases were compared using the chi-square test and Mann-Whitney test. p< 0.05 used as a reference. Results: Out of 178,157 respondents, 7745(4.35%), 48570(27.26%) and 23444(13.16%) were e-cigarette smokers, traditional smokers, and dual smokers respectively. The overall prevalence of asthma was 15.16% and COPD was 4.26%. E-cigarette smokers were younger in comparison to traditional smokers [25-years vs 62-years; p< 0.0001]. In females [49.34% vs 37.97%], Mexican [19.82% vs 13.35%], annual household income >$100,000 [23.97% vs 15.56%], prevalence of e-cigarette smoking was higher in comparison to traditional smoking (p< 0.0001). Prevalence of COPD was higher amongst dual smokers in comparison to e-cigarette and traditional smoking [10.14% vs 0.25% vs 8.11%; p< 0.0001]. Prevalence of asthma was higher amongst dual and e-cigarette smokers in comparison with traditional smokers and non-smokers (22.44% vs 21.10% vs 14.46% vs 13.30%; p< 0.0001) Median age was lower at which asthma [7-years (4-12) vs 25-years (8-50)] was diagnosed first amongst e-cigarette smokers in comparison with traditional smokers. Conclusions: We conclude the higher prevalence of e-cigarette users is seen among the younger population, females, Mexican race, and high annual income in comparison to traditional smokers. COPD and asthma were both more prevalent in dual smokers. As asthma diagnosed at an early age in e-cigarette smokers, more prospective studies are needed to understand the effects of e-cigarette amongst the population at risk to mitigate the sudden rise in utilization and to create awareness.