E-Cigarette Use Linked to Increased Sleep problems,Major Review Finds
New research reveals a important connection between vaping and disrupted sleep,including shorter sleep duration and increased risk of insomnia,particularly among young people. A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis, published today, adds to growing concerns about the broader health impacts of electronic cigarettes beyond respiratory effects. The findings suggest that individuals who use e-cigarettes are nearly 40% more likely to experience shortened sleep compared to non-users.
While frequently enough marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes and a potential aid for smoking cessation, this study underscores a previously underappreciated consequence of e-cigarette use. The rising popularity of vaping, especially among adolescents, makes these sleep disturbances a critical public health issue, possibly impacting academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being. Researchers emphasize the need for further inquiry into the long-term effects and underlying mechanisms driving this association.
The analysis,conducted by researchers,involved a review of 554 unique records,ultimately incorporating data from 14 cross-sectional studies identified through searches of EMBASE,Web of Science,and PubMed databases up to September 18,2024. Using R software (Version 4.3) for meta-analysis, the team calculated pooled odds ratios to assess the relationship between e-cigarette use and sleep outcomes. study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
Results indicated a pooled odds ratio of 1.38 (95% CI: 1.24-1.55) demonstrating a significantly elevated risk of shorter sleep duration among e-cigarette users compared to those who do not vape. Multiple studies also reported a higher prevalence of sleep disturbances, including insomnia and reliance on sleep aids, within the vaping population. Notably, adolescents using e-cigarettes faced a 33 to 61% increased risk of inadequate sleep.
The study concludes that e-cigarette use is associated with a range of sleep problems, warranting further longitudinal research to establish causality and fully understand the long-term implications. This research highlights the importance of considering sleep health as a key component of the overall health risk assessment related to e-cigarette use.
Keywords: electronic cigarettes; health problems; insomnia; sleep duration; sleep issues.
