Increased risk of COPD observed in individuals using e-cigarette: Study

Written By : Jacinthlyn Sylvia |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2025-04-22T02:45:37+05:30 | Updated On 22 April 2025 12:08 PM IST

A new study published in the journal of Respiratory Medicine showed a strong correlation between a higher risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).

In the early 2000s, electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, were first released as vaping devices that produced vapor by heating an e-liquid. By simulating traditional cigarettes through simultaneous motor and sensory stimulation, e-cigarettes made it easier to limit or stop using traditional tobacco products.

In particular, e-cigarette users are more likely to acquire chronic respiratory conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cardiovascular disorders like atherosclerosis, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, hypertension, and heart failure. Furthermore, e-cigarette usage may worsen pre-existing respiratory issues, which might lessen the efficacy of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) in treating sleep apnea, a disorder that frequently co-occurs with COPD.

Pooled estimates of the effect of e-cigarette usage on COPD are currently scarce. The influence of e-cigarette usage on COPD is therefore assessed in the current meta-analysis of extensive population-based observational studies. In accordance with PRISMA Guidelines, a systematic search of observational studies published between January 2020 and January 2024 was carried out in MEDLINE and Scopus for this study.

A total of 7 observational studies (including 4 cross-sectional studies and 3 prospective cohort studies) out of the 3670 publications that were initially retrieved matched all search criteria and were incorporated in the current meta-analysis. These studies included 35,52,424 individuals in total, including 1,38,698 cases with COPD.

According to the results of the random-effects meta-analysis, e-cigarette usage among non-cigarette users was linked to a 1.50-fold increased risk of COPD (pooled Relative Risk, pRR). The results indicated above were validated by sensitivity analysis using leave-one-out analysis.

According to stratified pooled effect estimates from prospective cohort studies and cross-sectional studies alone, e-cigarette users had a considerably greater risk of COPD, ranging from 52% to 55%. Overall, e-cigarette users are more likely to acquire COPD, according to the present meta-analysis.

Reference:

Song, C., Hao, X., Critselis, E., & Panagiotakos, D. (2025). The impact of electronic cigarette use on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Respiratory Medicine, 239(107985), 107985. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2025.107985

Respiratory Medicinechronic obstructive pulmonary disordere-cigarattes

Source : Respiratory Medicine

Jacinthlyn Sylvia

Neuroscience Masters graduate

Jacinthlyn Sylvia, a Neuroscience Master's graduate from Chennai has worked extensively in deciphering the neurobiology of cognition and motor control in aging. She also has spread-out exposure to Neurosurgery from her Bachelor’s. She is currently involved in active Neuro-Oncology research. She is an upcoming neuroscientist with a fiery passion for writing. Her news cover at Medical Dialogues feature recent discoveries and updates from the healthcare and biomedical research fields. She can be reached at editorial@medicaldialogues.in

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751