Nearly 1,300 cases of lung injuries associated with e-cigarette use, or vaping, have been reported in nearly every state in the U.S., while 26 deaths have been reported in 21 states. The epidemic has sparked an investigation from the CDC and many states, and the illness has gained a new name.
The e-cigarette product use associated lung injury is going by EVALI, according to the CDC, and is considered a diagnosis by exclusion because there isn’t a specific way to test for the illness. The agency also provided several new tips for clinical evaluation to diagnose EVALI in its latest update on Oct. 11.
Healthcare providers should review patient history, as 95% of those diagnosed with EVALI had respiratory symptoms, 77% had gastrointestinal symptoms and 85% were also accompanied by constitutional symptoms, such as fever, chills and weight loss.
In addition, diagnosis can be made through physician examination, laboratory testing for other viruses, imaging and consultation with specialists to optimize patient management. The CDC further provided insights for management of patients with suspected EVALI.
Still, the FDA and the CDC have not yet identified the cause or causes of the lung injuries among those diagnosed with EVALI. The agencies have identified a possible commonality across the e-cigarette products. Patients reported using products that contained THC, the active psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Some patients may have also purchased their e-cigarette products from non-reputable sources, or off the street, according to the CDC.
The agency recommends that no one should use vaping products with THC as the investigation continues. In addition, those that don’t use tobacco products should not start vaping.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."