Does Switching to Nicotine Containing Electronic Cigarettes Reduce Health Risk Markers

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center105 enrolled

Overview

The overall goal of this project is to understand the likely health effects of cigarette smokers switching to a Standardized Research Electronic Cigarette (SREC) and to assess the role of nicotine delivery on switching and acceptability as well as markers of health outcomes. Current smokers who meet all eligibility criteria will completely switch from their combustible (regular) cigarettes to an electronic cigarette (SREC) that either contains 58 mg/ml of nicotine or 0 mg/ml of nicotine in the liquid. The investigators' hypothesis is that attempting to switch to a SREC will result in a reduction in markers of harms to health, as compared with the baseline (smoking) measures. The investigators also hypothesize that nicotine-containing SRECs will facilitate switching from smoking more efficiently than zero nicotine SRECs and will result in a significantly greater improvement in markers of health risk, but will result in higher ratings of dependence on the SREC (as compared to the zero nicotine SREC).

This project is a prospective parallel-group randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which 104 current smokers who are willing to completely switch from their regular cigarettes to an electronic cigarette (SREC) for 6 weeks will be randomly allocated to use a SREC containing either 58 or 0 mg/ml nicotine in the liquid. Following randomization to their assigned study product, participants will be supported in their switching efforts with regular contacts both in person at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and over the phone. The main measures will be recorded at two in-person visits after the randomization (switching) visit: (a) 3 weeks after switching and (b) 6 weeks after switching. All participants will also be followed up at 10 weeks by phone to identify whether they have continued to use electronic cigarettes or regular cigarettes and to assess their motivation to change.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Interventions

Nicotine-Containing Electronic CigaretteOTHER

The electronic cigarette (e-cig) used in this study will be the Standardized Research Electronic Cigarette (SREC). The SREC product is a pod-based device and comprises a replaceable pre-filled liquid reservoir ("pod") and a rechargeable power supply unit. The experimental group in this project will receive a SREC device with liquid containing 58 mg/mL of nicotine.

Non-Nicotine Electronic CigaretteOTHER

The electronic cigarette (e-cig) used in this study will be the Standardized Research Electronic Cigarette (SREC). The SREC product is a pod-based device and comprises a replaceable pre-filled liquid reservoir ("pod") and a rechargeable power supply unit. The placebo group in this project will receive a SREC device with liquid containing 0 mg/mL of nicotine.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 21 YearsMax age: 70 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 21 to 70 * Smoke ≥5 cigarettes per day for at least the past 12 months * Smoke regular, filtered cigarettes or machine-rolled cigarettes with a filter * Exhaled CO measurement ≥6 ppm at baseline visit * No serious quit attempt in prior month * Willing to completely cease cigarette consumption and switch to an e-cig * Willing and able to attend regular visits over a 7-week period * Able to read and write in English * Able to understand and consent to study procedures Exclusion Criteria: * Unstable or significant medical condition such as COPD, kidney disease, or liver disease in the past 12 months * Severe immune system disorders * Women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or nursing * Use of any non-cigarette nicotine delivery product in the past 7 days * Use of an e-cig for 5 or more days in the past 28 days or any use in the past 7 days * Uncontrolled mental illness or substance abuse or inpatient treatment for these conditions in the past 6 months * History of a seizure disorder or had a seizure in the past 12 months * Currently or have ever taken medications prescribed to prevent seizures (such as Carbamazepine or Phenobarbital). Using seizure medications for off-label use (indications other than treatment for seizures) will not be included as an exclusion, these will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. * History of difficulty providing or unwilling to provide blood samples (fainting, poor veins, anxiety, seizures) * Surgery requiring general anesthesia in the past 6 weeks * Use of marijuana or any illicit drug/prescription drugs for non-medical use daily/almost daily or weekly in the past 3 months per NIDA Quick Screen * Use of hand-rolled, roll your own cigarettes * Known allergy to propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin * Other member of household currently participating in the study

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Urinary NNAL Concentration

Concentration of urinary carcinogen biomarker of exposure, NNAL, corrected for creatinine

Time frame: 6-week visit (post-treatment)

Secondary Outcomes

Pulmonary Function

Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1).

Time frame: 6-week visit (post-treatment)

Exhaled Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Exhaled CO (parts per million \[ppm\])

Time frame: 6-week visit (post-treatment)

Urine Cotinine Concentration

Cotinine (ng/ml) will serve as a measure of exposure to nicotine.

Time frame: 6-week visit (post-treatment)

Blood Pressure

systolic blood pressure in mm Hg

Time frame: 6-week visit (post-treatment)

Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence Mean Total Score

Nicotine dependence for cigarettes will be assessed via the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), a measure with total scores ranging from 0 (very low dependence) to 10 (very high dependence).

Time frame: 6-week visit (post-treatment)

Penn State Electronic Cigarette Dependence Index

Nicotine dependence for e-cigarettes will be assessed via the Penn State Electronic Nicotine Dependence Index, a measure with total scores ranging from 0 (very low dependence) to 20 (very high dependence).

Time frame: 6-week visit (post-treatment)

Cigarettes Per Day

Mean number of cigarettes smoked per day based on the past 7 days

Time frame: 6-week visit (post-treatment)

Number of Participants With Abstinence From Cigarettes and Other Tobacco (Not Including E-cigs)

Zero cigarettes or other tobacco products (not including e-cigs) used in the past 7 days and a CO \<6ppm

Time frame: 6-week visit (post-treatment)

Total Score on Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale

Withdrawal and craving will be assessed via the Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale. Total scores range from 0-28. Higher scores indicate worse withdrawal symptoms.

Time frame: 1-week visit (post-treatment)

Cigarettes Per Day

Mean number of cigarettes smoked per day based on the past 7 days

Time frame: 10-week visit (post-treatment)

E-cig Use Days

The number of days the e-cig was used since 6-week visit (post-treatment)

Time frame: 10-week visit (post-treatment)

Number of Participants With Self-reported Abstinence

Abstinence will be considered zero cigarettes and other tobacco products (not including e-cigs) in the past 7 days

Time frame: 10-week visit (post-treatment)

Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) will be assessed from resting Holter EKG output.

Time frame: 6-week visit (post-treatment)

Presence of Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)

Presence of PVCs will be assessed from resting Holter EKG output.

Time frame: 6-week visit (post-treatment)

ST-Elevation

ST-Elevation will be assessed from resting Holter EKG output

Time frame: 6-week visit (post-treatment)

QRS Duration

QRS duration will be assessed from resting Holter EKG output.

Time frame: 6-week visit (post-treatment)

Does Switching to Nicotine Containing Electronic Cigarettes Reduce Health Risk Markers

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes