Study Confirms Vaping Causes Severe Pulmonary Illness
The American Journal of Clinical Pathology published the results of a research project which studied the lung tissue samples from eight men who were hospitalized with breathing problems after vaping e-cigarettes. The conclusion is that vaping e-cigarettes can cause severe lung damage.
Clinical Features of Patients With Vaping-Associated Pulmonary Illness
| Variable | Patient 1 | Patient 2 | Patient 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, y/sex | 35/M | 22/M | 61/M |
| Main symptoms | Fever, night sweats, weight loss, dyspnea, cough, nausea, vomiting | Fever | Dyspnea, cough, chest heaviness, nausea, fever, dizziness |
| Substance vaped | 90% THC | THC (brand: “Dank”) and nicotine; recent refill of cartridge with 90% THC | THC/marijuana (vaping) and marijuana wax (dabbing) |
| Approximate time between vaping and symptom onset | Not known | Switched to “Dank” brand a few weeks prior to admission | 2 years (vaping) 2 months (dabbing) |
| Approximate time from symptom onset to presentation | 2 days | 1 week | 3 days |
| Initial total leukocyte count, /μL | 19,900 | 9,320 | 9,000 |
| ESR, mm/h | 72 | 102 | Not available |
| CRP, mg/dL | 29.5 | 35.4 | Not available |
| Imaging (chest CT) | Bilateral GGO and consolidation, peripherally located | Bilateral GGO and consolidative opacities in mid to lower lung fields | Diffuse bilateral GGO |
| Therapy | IV methylprednisolone | IV methylprednisolone | High-dose IV corticosteroids |
| Outcome | Alive; discharged home on room air on day 3 of steroids | Alive; discharged home on day 3 of treatment | Died on day 31 of admission |
| Variable | Patient 4 | Patient 5 | Patient 6 | Patient 7 | Patient 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age, y/sex | 20/M | 21/M | 28/M | 19/M | 28/M |
| Main symptoms | Dyspnea, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever | Cough, flare of inflammatory bowel disease | Dyspnea, cough, fever, nausea | Nausea, weight loss, abdominal pain, fever | Cough, dyspnea, fever, weight loss, night sweats |
| Substance vaped | THC (cannabis oil) | Purified THC | THC | THC, nicotine | 93% THC |
| Approximate time between vaping and symptom onset | 2 weeks | Simultaneous | 3 weeks | 14 months | Not known |
| Approximate time from symptom onset to presentation | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 1 week | 6 months | 3-4 days |
| Initial total leukocyte count, /μL | 44,900 | 12,400 | 20,000 | 15,000 | 13,340 |
| ESR, mm/h | 123 | 23 | Not available | 89 | Not available |
| CRP, mg/dL | 284 | 31 | Not available | 20 | Not available |
| Imaging (chest CT) | Diffuse bilateral GGO and basilar consolidation | Diffuse bilateral GGO | Bilateral GGO, somewhat patchy | Diffuse bilateral GGO and nodular opacities | Diffuse bilateral GGO with solid nodular densities |
| Therapy | Corticosteroids | Oral prednisone | Oral prednisone | Antibiotics | Antibiotics and methylprednisolone |
| Outcome | Alive; discharged home on day 7 | Alive; discharged home on day 8 | Alive; discharged home on day 4 | Alive; discharged on room air on day 4 | Alive; discharged on room air after 3 days of intravenous methylprednisolone |