Gingival changes in smokers who substitute e-cigarette use

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Changes in the gingival condition and inflammatory mediators of smokers who substitute the use of e-cigarettes for their regular smoking habits

• IRAS ID

  161226

• Contact name

  Veronica Booth

• Contact email

  Veronica.Booth@kcl.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Kings College London

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 0 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  Gum disease is an inflammatory condition which destroys the support for the teeth & can cause tooth loss. Although tobacco smokers have an increased risk of severe gum disease, they show fewer obvious signs of gum inflammation than non-smokers. It is not yet fully understood how tobacco smoking changes the inflammatory processes in gum disease, although nicotine can cause blood vessels to constrict or narrow.
  
  E-cigarette use is increasing in popularity as an alternative or supplement to smoking cigarettes. These products contain nicotine, but do not contain tar and other constituents of tobacco smoke. Changing from smoking tobacco to using e-cigarettes has not been shown to have any health benefits and they are not marketed or licensed as medicinal products. Their effect on gum health is completely unknown.

  The study would involve smokers with mild periodontal disease who do not intend to quit smoking but would be prepared to substitute e-cigarettes instead of smoking for 2 weeks. The aim would be to compare gum inflammation in the smokers when smoking cigarettes with their condition after using e-cigarettes for 2 weeks.

  Subjects would provide samples of saliva and the crevicular fluid that collects in the crevice between the gums & and teeth (GCF)and also venous blood. Examining the biochemical markers of inflammation within blood, saliva & GCF would help to determine whether the substitution of e-cigarettes modifies the subjects' inflammatory response in mild periodontal disease.

• REC name

  London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  14/LO/2092

• Date of REC Opinion

  23 Jan 2015

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion