• Early detection thanks to a single central database
• Good results after steroid treatment
• Beware of gastrointestinal symptoms as result of vaping-induced lung damage

A database in which data from patients admitted to several hospitals were integrated, allowed American researchers to detect an outbreak of lung injuries induced by e-cigarettes (otherwise known as damping or vaping) in the state of Utah, USA in its early stages. From the recorded data, it seemed that patients who smoked e-cigarettes did not only experience respiratory problems, but also gastrointestinal and overall health symptoms. The patients responded well to steroid treatment, and the researchers established an internal guideline to support physicians with diagnostics and treatment.