scholarly journals Substance Use and Misuse among Adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the United States, 2015–2019: Prevalence, Association, and Moderation

Author(s):  
Abdullah M. M. Alanazi ◽  
Mohammed M. Alqahtani ◽  
Maher M. Alquaimi ◽  
Tareq F. Alotaibi ◽  
Saleh S. Algarni ◽  
...  

Background: Despite the advancements in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment, complications related to COPD exacerbation remain challenging. One associated factor is substance use/misuse among adults with COPD. Fewer studies, however, examined the prevalence and association between COPD and substance use and misuse. In addition, limited knowledge existed about the moderation effects of serious psychological distress and gender among adults with COPD and substance use/misuse. We aimed, therefore, to measure such prevalence, association, and moderation from nationally representative samples in the United States. Method: Data were drawn from the 2015–2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Weighted logistic regressions were used to measure the associations of last-month tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, pipe, and smokeless tobacco products), other licit and illicit substance use (alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, crack, heroin, hallucinogens, and inhalants), and substance misuse (pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives) among adults with COPD. Serious psychological distress and gender were tested as moderators in the association between COPD and substance use/misuse. Results: The findings revealed that adults with COPD [Weighted N = 53,115,718) revealed greater odds of cigarettes [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.48 (95%CI = 1.80–3.42)) and smokeless tobacco (aOR = 3.65 (95%CI = 1.75–7.65)). However, they were less likely to use alcohol (aOR = 0.61 (95%CI = 0.45–0.84)). Adults with COPD who had serious psychological distress were more likely to use pipe tobacco and alcohol; however, they were less likely to use hallucinogens and inhalants. Finally, males compared to females with COPD were less likely to use smokeless tobacco. Conclusion: Adults with COPD in the United States were more likely to use tobacco products and less likely to use alcohol. In addition, serious psychological distress and gender were moderators in associations between COPD and substance use but not in substance misuse. Future studies should longitudinally assess the factors that may contribute to the initiation and progression of substance use and misuse among adults with COPD.

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Abdullah M. M. Alanazi ◽  
Mohammed M. Alqahtani ◽  
Maher M. Alquaimi ◽  
Tareq F. Alotaibi ◽  
Saleh S. Algarni ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aditi Malhotra ◽  
Hal A Skopicki ◽  
Smadar Kort ◽  
Noelle Mann ◽  
Puja Parikh

Background: There is a paucity of data regarding prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and corresponding cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in transgender individuals. We sought to assess the prevalence of CV risk factors and CVD in transgender persons in the United States. Methods: The 2018 Centers for Disease Control’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey was utilized to identify a cohort of 1,038 transgender individuals in the United States. Presence of CVD was noted with a single affirmative response to the following questions: “Has a health care professional ever told you that you had any of the following:” (1) a heart attack or myocardial infarction, (2) angina or coronary heart disease, (3) a stroke? Results: Among the 1,038 transgender individuals studied, a total of 145 (14.0%) had CVD while 893 (86.0%) did not. No differences in prevalence of CVD was noted in transgender individuals who transitioned from male-to-female (n=387), female-to-male (n=400), and gender nonconforming status (n=251) (15.0% vs 13.8% vs 12.7%, p=0.72). Transgender individuals with CVD were older, had lower annual income, higher rates of smoking (28.4% vs 18.1%, p=0.004), and higher rates of multiple co-morbidities including asthma (26.6% vs 17.4%, p = 0.009), skin cancer (21.8% vs 5.0%, p <0.001), non-skin cancers (16.8% vs 6.8%, p <0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (27.5% vs 7.0%, p <0.001), arthritis (65.3% vs 28.7%, p<0.001), depressive disorder (42.7% vs 31.0%, p= 0.006), chronic kidney disease (16.2% vs 3.3%, p< 0.001), and diabetes mellitus (42.0% vs 12.7%, p <0.001). No significant differences in race, health insurance status, or body mass index was noted between transgender individuals with CVD versus those without. In multivariable analysis, independent predictors of CVD in transgender individuals included older age, diabetes mellitus [odds ratio (OR) 2.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.73 - 4.58], chronic kidney disease (OR 3.69, 95% CI 1.80 - 7.57), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.19 - 3.99), and depressive disorder (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.09 - 3.03). Conclusions: In this observational contemporary study, CVD was prevalent in 14% of transgender individuals in the United States. Predictors of CVD in the transgender population exist and transgender persons should be appropriately screened for CV risk factors so as to minimize their risk of CVD.


2020 ◽  
Vol 319 (4) ◽  
pp. L585-L595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kielan Darcy McAlinden ◽  
Mathew Suji Eapen ◽  
Wenying Lu ◽  
Pawan Sharma ◽  
Sukhwinder Singh Sohal

In 2019, the United States experienced the emergence of the vaping-associated lung injury (VALI) epidemic. Vaping is now known to result in the development and progression of severe lung disease in the young and healthy. Lack of regulation on electronic cigarettes in the United States has resulted in over 2,000 patients and 68 deaths. We examine the clinical representation of VALI and the delve into the scientific evidence of how deadly exposure to electronic cigarettes can be. E-cigarette vapor is shown to affect numerous cellular processes, cellular metabolism, and cause DNA damage (which has implications for cancer). E-cigarette use is associated with a higher risk of developing crippling lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which would develop several years from now, increasing the already existent smoking-related burden. The role of vaping and virus susceptibility is yet to be determined; however, vaping can increase the virulence and inflammatory potential of several lung pathogens and is also linked to an increased risk of pneumonia. As it has emerged for cigarette smoking, great caution should also be given to vaping in relation to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the COVID-19 pandemic. Sadly, e-cigarettes are continually promoted and perceived as a safer alternative to cigarette smoking. E-cigarettes and their modifiable nature are harmful, as the lungs are not designed for the chronic inhalation of e-cigarette vapor. It is of interest that e-cigarettes have been shown to be of no help with smoking cessation. A true danger lies in vaping, which, if ignored, will lead to disastrous future costs.


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