E -cigarettes and kidney health: current knowledge and future perspectives

Chronic conventional cigarette smoking has been closely linked to incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the general population. It is associated with the acceleration of pre-existing CKD and failure of kidney allograft function. Cessation of conventional cigarette smoking is effective in reducing the increased risk of smoking induced kidney damage.

This narrative review summarizes current knowledge and future study perspectives of the impact of e-cigarettes (e-cigs) use on kidney health.

The past decade has seen a dramatic increase in the use of electronic nicotine delivering systems, also called e-cigs. Compared to conventional cigarette smoking, little is known concerning the effects of e-cigs use on kidney health. A few cross-sectional studies suggest an association between vaping and kidney damage (albuminuria, reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate) in adolescents and young adults. Furthermore, limited animal experiments indicate that e-cigs constituents/aerosols may lead to structural and functional kidney damage. The renal health effects of e-cigs remain largely uncertain and make it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about e-cigs use and kidney health. The relatively new popularity of e-cigs, the wide variability in device design and e-liquid formulations, and the lack of standardized methods to measure daily or life-long e-cigs exposure make it challenging to conduct comprehensive long-term studies.

Nephrologists should actively address smoking habits in their patients and urge cessation of conventional cigarette smoking as well as e-cigs use to prevent CKD progression and improve overall health.