ABSTRACT
Aims: VapeScan aims to study associations between e-cigarette (e-cig) use and lung structure and function in diverse young adults from New York City. Since the Study started during the pandemic, we performed preliminary analyses to test if recent COVID infection is a confounder of associations between e-cig use and lung function. Method(s): We are enrolling adults ages 18-50 years using e-cigs only, e-cigs and cigarettes, and dual non-users. Pre-bronchodilator spirometry and questionnaires are done at baseline. Lung function was regressed on e-cig use adjusted for age, sex, race, BMI, height, asthma, and COVID history. Result(s): 57 participants completed spirometry between October 2021 and May 2022, including 14 (25%) e-cig users, 13 (23%) dual e-cig/cigarette users, and 30 (53%) dual non-users. Average age was 26 years (range:18-49), 38 (67%) were women, 25 (44%) were non-Hispanic White, 6 (11%) were Black, 16 (28%) were Asian, 19 (33%) were Hispanic, 10 (18%) had asthma, 15 (26%) had prior COVID. After adjustment, e-cig use was associated with 8% lower FEV1-predicted (95%CI:17%,-2%,p=.1) and 0.05 lower FEV1/FVC (95%CI:0.11,-0.001,p=.06). COVID history was not associated with outcomes (p>.27) and effect estimates did not change after adjustment (Figure). Conclusion(s): In data collected during the Omicron Wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, e-cig use showed a trend towards association with lower FEV1% and FEV1/FVC independent of COVID history.