Health Effects of the Standardized Research E-Cigarette for Harm Reduction in Smokers With HIV
Brown University
Summary
Cigarette smoking is more prevalent (50-70%) in persons living with HIV in the U.S. when compared with the general population and is linked to increased rates of heart disease, lung diseases and infections, and lung cancers. Because of their high levels of nicotine dependence, low quit rates, and familiarity with harm reduction, HIV-positive smokers may view the use of alternative nicotine delivery products, such as electronic cigarettes (ECs), as an attractive option for reducing and eventually stopping combustible cigarette use. However, little is known about the health effects of electronic cigarette use in HIV-positive smokers. Some studies have shown that electronic cigarette use was associated with increased confidence to quit smoking in the general population. The primary objectives of this project are to examine whether HIV-positive smokers, who are unwilling or unable to quit smoking, will substitute an electronic cigarette for regular cigarettes, and to examine whether there are any changes in heart and lung health in HIV-positive smokers who switch from regular cigarettes to electronic cigarettes.
Description
Aims The specific aims are to examine: 1) the feasibility and acceptability of EC distribution in PLWH; 2) the effect of EC use on smoking behaviors; and 3) the change in cardiopulmonary symptoms and biomarkers in smokers who transition from CC to EC use. Methodology The investigators will enroll 72 HIV-positive smokers, who are not ready or willing to quit smoking, into a 12-week randomized study. Participants will be assigned to one of two groups: 1) to receive 6-weeks of free electronic cigarettes (a standardized form developed by the NIH) and encouraged to use them whenever they would smo…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * diagnosed with and engaged in care for HIV (defined as at least one HIV clinic medical appointment within the past six month period) * at least 18 years of age * smoke at least 5 cigarettes per day for longer than one year * exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) level greater than 5 at BL Exclusion Criteria: * intention to quit smoking in the next 30 days * currently using pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation * currently using electronic cigarettes more than 2 days/week * unstable medical or psychiatric condition (defined as hospitalization) * medical contraindications to nico…
Interventions
- DeviceStandardized Research Electronic Cigarette
Participants will receive SREC weekly and eill be encouraged to replace their usual combustible cigarette with the SREC whenever they would normally smoke.
Location
- Brown University School of Public HealthProvidence, Rhode Island