IMPACT OF ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES ON ACID-FORMING AND MOTOR FUNCTIONS OF THE STOMACH

Abstract. Introduction. Currently, the use of electronic cigarettes is becoming the most popular with and widespread among young people. In Russia, one third of electronic cigarettes consumers are people aged 18 to 29 years. The impact of vaping on various body organs and systems is still understudied now. The aim of our study is to investigate the acid-forming and motor functions of the stomach in people consuming electronic cigarettes. Materials and methods. The study involved 54 people, of which 27 were consumers of electronic cigarettes, all without any diagnosed organic diseases in their digestive systems. The severity of gastroenterological symptoms was assessed using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) questionnaire, while motor and acid-forming functions of the stomach were assessed according to pH-impedance measurements. The findings were processed statistically using nonparametric tests with the Microsoft Office Excel 2013 and Statistica 10.0 computer programs. Results and discussions. Vaping participants had significantly more gastrointestinal symptoms according to the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale as compared to their non-smoking peers. In the group of subjects consuming electronic cigarettes, there was a greater number of pathological gastroesophageal refluxes and increased acidity in the lower esophagus and stomach as compared to the control group. Conclusions. Our findings indicate the adverse effects provided by electronic cigarettes on the functional activity of the upper gastrointestinal tract.