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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
E-cigarettes aren't just a lung problem. A new matched cohort study found that current e-cigarette users had a 49% higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared to nonusers. The findings add to growing evidence that vaping carries serious long-term health risks beyond the respiratory system.
E-cigarettes aren't just a lung problem. A new study published in Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism found that current e-cigarette users face a significantly higher risk of developing autoimmune conditions — specifically rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) — compared to those who don't vape.
Using data from the All of Us Research Program, researchers matched 15,909 current e-cigarette users with an equal number of nonusers (past and never users) and followed them for an average of 2.9 years. The study found 66 incident cases of RA or SLE among vapers vs. 43 among nonusers — translating to a 49% increased risk after adjustment. Notably, among people who had never smoked traditional cigarettes, e-cigarette use alone was not independently associated with RA or SLE, suggesting the risk may be amplified by a history of conventional smoking.
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Why it matters: As vaping continues to surge among younger populations, these findings highlight potential long-term autoimmune risks that go well beyond the lungs — making cessation counseling an increasingly important part of clinical practice.
