Respiratory symptoms and exercise responses among adult E-cigarette users with and without obesity

Despite the high prevalence of both e-cigarette use and obesity among young adults, little is known about whether obesity worsens lung function, ventilatory constraints, or respiratory symptoms among e-cigarette users. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of obesity on lung function, ventilatory constraints, and exertional breathlessness in young adult e-cigarette users. Forty-seven 21–35-year-old e-cigarette users (n = 19 with mild-to-moderate obesity) completed submaximal exercise testing (6 min at 40 W for females and 60 W for males followed by two 4-min stages, each increased by 20 W increments; low, moderate, and higher work rates). Gas exchange, minute ventilation, operating lung volumes, and ratings of perceived breathlessness (RPB) and exertion (RPE) were assessed. Significant breathlessness was defined as RPB ≥3 (moderate or greater breathlessness). E-cigarette users with obesity experienced a 13% higher oxygen uptake exercise, 15% greater minute ventilation, and 27% lower end-expiratory lung volume, compared with those without obesity (p < 0.05). 74% of individuals with obesity and 64% of individuals without obesity reported moderate or greater breathlessness at the higher work rate. E-cigarette use history and cardiopulmonary exercise testing could be considered during the evaluation of young adults with exertional breathlessness.