Respiratory Effects of E-Cigarette Use Among Youth: A Prospective, Longitudinal Investigation
Principal Investigator(s): Alayna Pauline Tackett
Funding Mechanism: NIH Grant
ID number: 1K01HL148907-01
Award Date: August 13, 2019
Institution: University of Oklahoma, Health Sciences Center
More information about the acute and chronic pulmonary and respiratory effects of e-cigarettes would be useful. The goal of this study is to investigate pulmonary functioning and respiratory effects among 150 youth aged 15-17 years, 100 of whom are exclusive-e-cigarette users and 50 of whom are never-users. Study aims are: (1) to compare changes over one year in pulmonary functioning and respiratory health between exclusive e-cigarette users and never-users in repeated laboratory sessions; and (2) to identify a dose-response relationship between quantity/frequency of e-cigarette use (via daily self-monitoring on a mobile phone app) and acute changes in pulmonary functioning (via same-day, home-based spirometry measurements). To achieve Aim 1, subjects will complete one baseline and four subsequent laboratory assessments over one year to provide a comprehensive assessment of respiratory health (e.g., airway reactivity, airway inflammation, pulmonary functioning). To achieve Aim 2, subjects will track their e-cigarette use by using a mobile phone app and take home-based spirometry measurements daily for four two-week periods (one prior to each laboratory assessment) so that the immediate acute effects of e-cigarette use on respiratory markers can be tracked. Findings may inform regulatory activities related to e-cigarettes.