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Participants who switched to vaping reported an approximately 50% reduction in flare-ups, significantly improved cardio-respiratory health, and increased exercise capacity and quality of life.
Entitled “Health Effects of COPD in Smokers Switching to E-Cigarettes: A 3-Year Retrospective-Prospective Follow-up,” the previous study followed 44 patients over a three-year period. Participants were divided into two groups, those who switched from smoking to vaping and those who continued to smoke. Compiled data indicated that COPD patients who switched to the change reported improvement in respiratory symptoms, while those who continued to smoke did not experience any changes.
Following these same COPD patients two years later, the ongoing study, “COPD Smokers Who Switched to E-Cigarettes: 5-Year Follow-up Health Outcomes,” found the vaping group continued to experience improvements. of health. They reported an approximately 50% reduction in exacerbations, significantly improved cardio-respiratory health, and increased exercise capacity and quality of life.
The recent study managed to collect comprehensive data from 39 participants, 19 in the control group of COPD smokers and 20 in the COPD e-cigarette user group. The research team also reported “significant and constant improvements in lung function [and] CAT scores ”(a health questionnaire used for COPD patients) in the vaping group versus the control group. “E-cigarettes can be a huge remedy for COPD and this is important for doctors, patients and their caregivers,” the study concluded.
Only 4 of the participants who had passed have returned to smoking
Another significant finding is the one that indicated the effectiveness of vaping products as tools to quit smoking: only four vapers, (16.7% of the largest initial group) returned to smoking for the duration of the study.
“The most important finding of the study is that COPD patients can refrain from smoking cigarettes indefinitely if an adequate replacement is available,” said Dr. Polosa to Filter. “E-cigarettes can be a huge remedy for COPD and this is important for doctors, patients and their caregivers. The study confirms that “reverse damage” is achievable and can be maintained for years. We are telling the world that substantial health gains are within reach when you replace deadly tobacco cigarettes with vaping products. “
The fact that most of the participants were in their 60s is a significant factor
COPD patients are normally resistant to smoking cessation programs. Hence, these findings are all the more significant.
Dr Annie Kleykamp, a tobacco harm reduction expert and research associate professor of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, added that a significant factor is the average age of participants.
“The participants were on average about 65 years old. This study supports the idea that older smokers who switch to e-cigarettes can improve their health and potentially slow down the effects of COPD. … Ideally, larger sample studies replicating these findings will be completed. My clinical experience tells me that – surprisingly enough – most COPD smokers don’t have a good reason to quit, ”he explained.
Polosa agrees, he also pointed out that COPD patients are normally resistant to smoking cessation programs. Hence, these results are all the more significant. “My clinical experience tells me that, surprisingly enough, most COPD smokers don’t have a good reason to quit,” Polosa said. “At their age and with their debilitating condition, they don’t have much to hope for but a good cigarette! They are well aware that smoking cigarettes is bad for their COPD, but the consolation of smoking appears to be far greater than any health benefits of quitting smoking. “
Studies linking vaping to lung disease
Meanwhile, numerous studies continue to link vaping with lung disease, most of which are deeply flawed. One such study, titled “Association of E-Cigarette Use With Respiratory Disease Between Adults: A Longitudinal Analysis”, reported that adults who used e-cigarettes at baseline and had never been diagnosed with lung disease were more likely than not. vapers at baseline, to be told they have lung disease after three years of follow-up.
Commenting on the study, famed anti-smoking and public health expert Dr. Michael Siegel explained that “it is deeply flawed.” He pointed out that just like other studies that make similar claims, the study does not take into account something truly obvious. The main reason most people start vaping is to quit smoking. Therefore, vapers who do not currently smoke are most likely former smokers, which means they are obviously likely to develop respiratory conditions.
“… It fails to consider the most likely explanation for the study results: that people who use e-cigarettes are more likely to have a history of more intense smoking than people who do not use e-cigarettes. For example, one study found that while only 21% of adult smokers who did not vape were heavy smokers, 68% of adult smokers who vape were heavy smokers (or had been heavy smokers), “Siegel said.
The Canadian Vaping Association responds to the study linking e-cigarettes to lung injury
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