Acute Health Effects of Passive Vape Among COPD Patients

University of Aarhus16 enrolled

Overview

The use of e-cigarettes is often permitted in otherwise smoke-free areas causing passive vape exposure for present individuals. Little is known about the potential adverse health effects of passive vape, and people with respiratory diseases may be more susceptible. The aim of the present study was to investigate local and systemic effects of short-term passive exposure to vape from e-cigarettes among patients with mild or moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD in a randomized controlled double-blinded cross-over study.

Introduction: The use of e-cigarettes is often permitted in otherwise smoke-free areas causing passive vape exposure for present individuals. Little is known about the potential adverse health effects of passive vape, and people with respiratory diseases may be more susceptible. Aim: to investigate local and systemic effects of short-term passive exposure to vape from e-cigarettes among patients with mild or moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Design: In a randomised double-blinded cross-over study non-smoking COPD patients were exposed for four hours at two different exposure conditions separated by 14 days; A) clean filtered air and B) passive vaping under controlled environmental conditions. Measurements: TSI P-TRAK Ultrafine Particle Counter was used for particle counts. Health effects, including lung function (FEV1/FVC) and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were evaluated in relation to local and systemic effects prior to, right after and 24 h. after exposure. Analysis: Mixed methods approach taking both time and exposure into account.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

TRIPLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Electronic Cigarette Use Second Hand Smoke Lung Function

Interventions

Passive vapeOTHER

On days with passive vape, 2-3 vapers in an adjacent chamber were vaping by turn, and vape was passed on to the exposure chamber continuously .

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Never smoker or ex-smokers ≥ 6 months * Aged 18+ * A known diagnosis of COPD (FEV1/FVC \< lower limit of normal, app. 70%) * MRC ≥ 2 or CAT score ≥ 10 Exclusion Criteria: * Exposure to smoking more than 30 min./day * Treatment with inhaled or oral corticosteroids * Known hypersensitivity to constituents in e-cigarettes * Any other disease that could influence the study parameters * Conditions that prevent safe access to the climate chambers (such as claustrophobia) * Perennial rhinitis * Deformed nasal airways * Not being able to change from long-acting medication to short-acting medication

Locations (1)

Aarhus University

Aarhus, Central Region Denmark, Denmark

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Particles in Exhaled Air (Surfactant Protein A & Albumin)

PExA: Subjects performed repeated breath maneuvers allowing for airway closure and re-opening, and exhaled particles were optically counted and collected on a membrane using the (novel) PExA® instrument set-up.