How do the surveillance report findings describe patients with vaping lung injury?

Surveillance data from 2019 describe patients with e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) as a diverse group affected by substances in vaping products. Reports highlight that many patients are adolescents or young adults who used products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). These patients typically present with a mix of breathing problems, stomach issues, and general signs of illness like fever or fatigue.

What the research says

A 2020 study of hospitalized teenagers found that the majority were female with a mean age of 15.9 years. Ninety-two percent of these patients reported vaping THC, while 62% reported vaping nicotine. Symptoms included respiratory issues in 69% of patients and prominent gastrointestinal symptoms in 85% of patients. All patients had bilateral ground-glass opacities on chest CT scans ⁵.

A separate report from North Carolina described 78 cases with a median age of 24 years. Ninety percent of patients were male. Common symptoms included cough in 90% of patients, shortness of breath in 85%, and gastrointestinal symptoms in 81%. Ninety-six percent of these patients were hospitalized, and most reported using THC-containing products obtained from informal sources ⁷.

A systematic review of pediatric cases identified 10 major patterns of lung injury. These cases often presented with respiratory, constitutional, abdominal, and cardiovascular signs and symptoms. Diagnostic findings varied based on the specific underlying lung injury pattern observed in the patient ⁶.

What to ask your doctor

• What specific symptoms should I watch for that might indicate EVALI?
• How do I know if my vaping product contains THC or other substances linked to lung injury?
• What diagnostic tests are needed to rule out other causes of my lung symptoms?
• What are the signs that my condition is worsening and requires immediate care?