Tessa Quinn
Vaping has been linked to severe lung disease, with the CDC investigating a steep rise in hospitalizations caused by vaping products in 2019. By February 2020, the CDC recorded over 2,800 hospitalizations due to EVALI (e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury) and 68 deaths. The median age of patients was 24 years, ranging from 13 to 85 years old. Many EVALI patients require treatment in a hospital, where respiratory support is readily available, and antibiotics are administered while diagnostic tests are finalized.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of hospitalized EVALI cases or deaths reported to CDC | 2,807 |
| Date of the above data | February 18, 2020 |
| Median age of patients | 24 years |
| Age range of patients | 13-85 years |
| Percentage of patients reporting use of nicotine-containing products | 57% |
| Percentage of patients reporting exclusive use of nicotine-containing products | 14% |
| Percentage of patients reporting use of THC-containing products | 50% |
| Percentage of patients who reported acquiring THC-containing products from commercial sources | 16% |
| Percentage of patients who reported acquiring THC-containing products from informal sources | 78% |
| Percentage of patients who reported acquiring THC-containing products from both commercial and informal sources | 6% |
| Percentage of hospitalized patients with fatal cases and cardiac disease, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 15% |
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What You'll Learn
- By February 2020, there were over 2,800 hospitalizations due to EVALI
- EVALI patients are treated with respiratory support and medication
- EVALI symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain
- EVALI patients have reported using THC-containing vaping products
- EVALI patients have also reported using nicotine-containing vaping products
By February 2020, there were over 2,800 hospitalizations due to EVALI
E-cigarette, or vaping product use-associated lung injury, also known as EVALI, is a lung disease that can develop due to vaping. By February 2020, there were over 2,800 hospitalizations due to EVALI, with 68 deaths caused by the condition.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) started investigating a rise in hospitalizations linked to vaping products in 2019. Patients complained of respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain. They had all used vaping products within the last three months. The condition was named EVALI, and the CDC identified vitamin E acetate, a chemical added to some THC-containing vaping products, as the main cause of the illness. However, other chemicals in both THC and non-THC products may also have contributed.
The symptoms of EVALI are similar to those of other respiratory illnesses, like pneumonia and the flu, making diagnosis challenging. Treatment for EVALI often involves hospitalization, where respiratory support and medication to reduce lung inflammation are readily available. Glucocorticoid administration, for example, has been linked to rapid clinical improvement. Antibiotics and antivirals may also be used while diagnostic test results are finalized, as it is difficult to distinguish EVALI from bacterial and viral infections.
Most EVALI patients reported using THC-containing vaping products, with many obtaining these products from informal sources such as friends and family. Additionally, over half of the patients also reported using nicotine-containing products. The median age of patients hospitalized for EVALI was 24 years, but ages ranged from 13 to 85 years old.
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EVALI patients are treated with respiratory support and medication
EVALI, or e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury, is a serious medical condition in which a person's lungs become damaged from substances contained in e-cigarettes and vaping products. By February 2020, the CDC had recorded over 2,800 hospitalizations due to EVALI, along with 68 deaths caused by the condition.
Antibiotics are also used while diagnostic test results are pending, as it is difficult to distinguish EVALI from bacterial infections. Antivirals may also be used, especially during the influenza season, as EVALI causes similar symptoms to some viral infections.
The illness is still very new, so there is no way to predict how patients will fare after being discharged from the hospital following treatment. Some patients have become ill again after stopping steroid treatment, so follow-up care is vital.
The pathology of the disease is still poorly understood, and researchers are working hard to learn more about the illness, its causes, and the most effective treatments.
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EVALI symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain
EVALI, or e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury, is a severe lung illness that can be caused by using e-cigarettes and vaping products. The first case of EVALI was identified in 2019, and since then, there has been a growing number of cases. By February 2020, there were over 2,800 hospitalizations due to EVALI, with 68 resulting in death.
The treatment for EVALI includes corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in the lungs and supplemental oxygen therapy to support breathing. In more severe cases, patients may require mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Antibiotics and antivirals may also be administered while diagnostic test results are pending, as it can be difficult to distinguish EVALI from bacterial or viral infections.
The specific causes of EVALI are still being investigated, but researchers have identified vitamin E acetate, a chemical added to some THC-containing vaping products, as the main culprit. Healthcare experts are also unsure which components of e-liquids directly lead to inflammation, but there may be a link between EVALI and vitamin E acetate when heated and inhaled as vapor.
The long-term effects of EVALI are currently unknown, and some people develop symptoms again after finishing treatment. It is recommended that all patients schedule follow-up appointments with a pulmonologist to monitor their recovery and lung health.
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EVALI patients have reported using THC-containing vaping products
E-cigarette, or vaping product use-associated lung injury, or EVALI, is a lung disease that can develop due to vaping. By February 2020, the CDC had recorded over 2,800 hospitalizations due to EVALI, with 68 deaths caused by the condition.
According to the CDC, over 80% of people hospitalized due to EVALI reported using vaping products that contained THC, though many also said they used nicotine-containing products. Of the EVALI patients who used THC-containing e-cigarettes, nearly 80% obtained their vaping products from "informal sources" such as family, friends, dealers, or online sources, rather than commercial outlets.
The CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) states that as of January 14, 82% of EVALI patients nationwide with available data reported using any THC-containing e-cigarette or vaping products, and 57% reported using any nicotine-containing products. 33% reported exclusive THC-containing product use, and 14% reported exclusive nicotine-containing product use.
The outbreak of EVALI cases emerged against a backdrop of an ongoing vaping epidemic among youth. According to the CDC, 15% of EVALI patients were under 18 years old. The EVALI outbreak primarily affects young adults and is driven by the use of THC-containing products from informal sources.
Diagnosing EVALI can be challenging because the symptoms of this lung condition are similar to those of other respiratory illnesses, like pneumonia and even the seasonal flu virus. There is no single test for EVALI; it is a "diagnosis of exclusion," meaning a doctor will conduct tests to rule out other potential diseases and conditions.
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EVALI patients have also reported using nicotine-containing vaping products
E-cigarette, or vaping product use-associated lung injury, also known as EVALI, is a serious medical condition in which a person's lungs become damaged from substances contained in e-cigarettes and vaping products. The symptoms of EVALI include shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain.
According to the CDC, over 80% of people hospitalized with EVALI reported using THC-containing vaping products, and many of these patients also reported using nicotine-containing vaping products. In fact, a significant percentage of THC-containing e-cigarettes also contained nicotine. While nicotine-containing vaping products are not the main cause of EVALI, they are still linked to the illness. Approximately 20% of EVALI patients reported using only nicotine e-cigarettes.
Nicotine is highly addictive and can affect the developing brain, especially in teens and young adults. Nicotine addiction is common among e-cigarette users, and vaping devices often contain nicotine. The e-cigarette aerosol that users inhale and exhale can contain harmful substances and expose both users and bystanders to these toxins. Vaping is also linked to an increased risk of cancer and can worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma.
Diagnosing EVALI can be challenging because its symptoms are similar to those of other respiratory illnesses, and there is no single test for EVALI. Doctors must rule out other potential diseases and conditions before diagnosing EVALI. They will ask patients about their use of e-cigarettes and whether they vaped products containing nicotine, THC, or both.
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Frequently asked questions
As of February 2020, there have been over 2,800 cases of people requiring hospital admission due to vaping-related issues.
E-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury, also known as EVALI.
Respiratory symptoms including shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain.
Treatment for EVALI includes medications to reduce inflammation in the lungs, respiratory support, supplemental oxygen, antibiotics, and antivirals.
Vitamin E acetate, a chemical added to some THC-containing vaping products, has been strongly linked to the EVALI outbreak. However, other chemicals in both THC and non-THC products may also contribute.
