The fact that EVALI patients showing signs of vitamin E acetate exposure came from 16 different states suggests one supplier or dealer is not to blame for the injuries, CDC Principal Deputy Director Dr. Anne Schuchat said on a call with reporters Friday.
It’s not exactly clear how vitamin E acetate could cause lung issues, but Schuchat said there are two leading theories. One is that the oily substance disrupts the lining of the lungs, interfering with their ability to expand. The other is that a byproduct produced by vitamin E acetate during the vaping process could cause a chemical injury to the lungs.
Though Schuchat said vitamin E acetate seems to be behind most of the EVALI cases, she cautioned that “this does not mean there are not other substances in e-cigarette or vaping products that have or are capable of causing lung injuries,” especially since some patients have reported using only e-cigarettes containing nicotine.. “While we continue to receive reports [of EVALI],” Schuchat said, “the level of new cases is greatly reduced, and has been declining since a peak in September.
At the same time, though, the CDC reported evidence of a troubling trend. A small but significant number of EVALI patients have seen their symptoms worsen, or even grow fatal, after being discharged from the hospital. Thirty-one patients were readmitted to hospitals after discharge, and seven patients died after being discharged. Elderly patients, as well as those with preexisting chronic conditions, seem to be at highest risk for readmission, Schuchat said.
It might be more accurate to say that the outbreak of one vaping-related lung disease may be coming to an end.
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