| Title: | A systematic review of health effects of electronic cigarettes |
| Address: | "Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Glostrup Hospital, DK-2600 Glostrup, Denmark. Electronic address: charlotta.pisinger@regionh.dk. Medicinsk Afdeling, Frederikssund Hospital, DK-3600 Frederikssund, Denmark" |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.10.009 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1096-0260 (Electronic) 0091-7435 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "OBJECTIVE: To provide a systematic review of the existing literature on health consequences of vaporing of electronic cigarettes (ECs). METHODS: Search in: PubMed, EMBASE and CINAHL. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Original publications describing a health-related topic, published before 14 August 2014. PRISMA recommendations were followed. We identified 1101 studies; 271 relevant after screening; 94 eligible. RESULTS: We included 76 studies investigating content of fluid/vapor of ECs, reports on adverse events and human and animal experimental studies. Serious methodological problems were identified. In 34% of the articles the authors had a conflict of interest. Studies found fine/ultrafine particles, harmful metals, carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines, volatile organic compounds, carcinogenic carbonyls (some in high but most in low/trace concentrations), cytotoxicity and changed gene expression. Of special concern are compounds not found in conventional cigarettes, e.g. propylene glycol. Experimental studies found increased airway resistance after short-term exposure. Reports on short-term adverse events were often flawed by selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: Due to many methodological problems, severe conflicts of interest, the relatively few and often small studies, the inconsistencies and contradictions in results, and the lack of long-term follow-up no firm conclusions can be drawn on the safety of ECs. However, they can hardly be considered harmless" |
| Keywords: | "Animals Conflict of Interest Cytotoxins/pharmacology Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems/*adverse effects Glycols/analysis Humans Metals, Heavy/analysis Mice Particulate Matter/adverse effects Steam/*adverse effects/*analysis Volatilization E-cigarette E;" |
| Notes: | "MedlinePisinger, Charlotta Dossing, Martin eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review Systematic Review 2014/12/03 Prev Med. 2014 Dec; 69:248-60. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.10.009. Epub 2014 Oct 16" |
