Effects of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Substitution on Body Weight Status: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BackgroundWeight gain following smoking cessation is a well-documented concern, often attributed to the absence of nicotine’s metabolic influence. The adoption of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) has been used to achieve smoking cessation, with claims of aiding wei...

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Main Authors: Giusy Rita Maria La Rosa, Maria Ahmed Qureshi, Lucia Frittitta, Erika Anastasi, Riccardo Polosa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JMIR Publications 2024-03-01
Series:JMIR Research Protocols
Online Access:https://www.researchprotocols.org/2024/1/e56324
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author Giusy Rita Maria La Rosa
Maria Ahmed Qureshi
Lucia Frittitta
Erika Anastasi
Riccardo Polosa
author_facet Giusy Rita Maria La Rosa
Maria Ahmed Qureshi
Lucia Frittitta
Erika Anastasi
Riccardo Polosa
author_sort Giusy Rita Maria La Rosa
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundWeight gain following smoking cessation is a well-documented concern, often attributed to the absence of nicotine’s metabolic influence. The adoption of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) has been used to achieve smoking cessation, with claims of aiding weight control. However, existing reviews present conflicting conclusions on ENDS’ impact on weight status, necessitating a rigorous evaluation. ObjectiveWe aim to conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis to assess the actual impact of ENDS on weight status in individuals who have ceased or reduced conventional smoking. The primary goal is to provide clinicians with evidence-based insights into the potential effects of ENDS use as a smoking substitute on weight control. MethodsAdhering to PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols) guidelines, our systematic review will analyze randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials, clinical trials (quasi-experimental), and prospective or retrospective cohort studies on the weight status effects of ENDS among individuals who have either quit or reduced smoking. Searches will include PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library, covering the period from 2010 to January 2024. A gray literature search and supplementary searches will be performed. Data will be extracted independently by 2 reviewers and quality assessments will be conducted concurrently. Quality assessments will use Joanna Briggs Institute tools, 2020 version, along with bias assessments for internal validity and reporting bias based on the Catalogue of Bias. The included studies will be examined for any internal data reporting discrepancies by using Puljak’s checklist. Meta-analysis and subgroup analyses (ie, general ENDS usage, ENDS use coupled with a reduction in smoking exceeding 50%, and exclusive ENDS use for achieving smoking cessation) are planned. Certainty of evidence will be evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. ResultsThe protocol has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023494974) and the entire systematic review is expected to be completed by April 2024. The main goal of this review is to retrieve all current human research studies investigating the influence of ENDS on weight management among individuals who have quit or reduced smoking. Furthermore, the review will assess the quality of these studies and examine potential biases to identify the most dependable evidence available. Dissemination strategies will include traditional journal publications, social media announcements, and a white paper. The latter, available for download and distributed at conferences, aims to reach a broad audience, including clinicians and ENDS users. ConclusionsThe review will address the importance of informing health care professionals and patients about the current and robust evidence regarding the effects of transitioning to ENDS for smoking cessation on weight status. Trial RegistrationPROSPERO CRD42023494974; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=494974 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/56324
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spelling doaj.art-adb368ba35ee40de90244018887fac302024-03-26T13:45:46ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Research Protocols1929-07482024-03-0113e5632410.2196/56324Effects of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Substitution on Body Weight Status: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisGiusy Rita Maria La Rosahttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5127-5299Maria Ahmed Qureshihttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7760-2451Lucia Frittittahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7941-5828Erika Anastasihttps://orcid.org/0009-0008-8537-9836Riccardo Polosahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8450-5721 BackgroundWeight gain following smoking cessation is a well-documented concern, often attributed to the absence of nicotine’s metabolic influence. The adoption of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) has been used to achieve smoking cessation, with claims of aiding weight control. However, existing reviews present conflicting conclusions on ENDS’ impact on weight status, necessitating a rigorous evaluation. ObjectiveWe aim to conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis to assess the actual impact of ENDS on weight status in individuals who have ceased or reduced conventional smoking. The primary goal is to provide clinicians with evidence-based insights into the potential effects of ENDS use as a smoking substitute on weight control. MethodsAdhering to PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols) guidelines, our systematic review will analyze randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials, clinical trials (quasi-experimental), and prospective or retrospective cohort studies on the weight status effects of ENDS among individuals who have either quit or reduced smoking. Searches will include PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library, covering the period from 2010 to January 2024. A gray literature search and supplementary searches will be performed. Data will be extracted independently by 2 reviewers and quality assessments will be conducted concurrently. Quality assessments will use Joanna Briggs Institute tools, 2020 version, along with bias assessments for internal validity and reporting bias based on the Catalogue of Bias. The included studies will be examined for any internal data reporting discrepancies by using Puljak’s checklist. Meta-analysis and subgroup analyses (ie, general ENDS usage, ENDS use coupled with a reduction in smoking exceeding 50%, and exclusive ENDS use for achieving smoking cessation) are planned. Certainty of evidence will be evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. ResultsThe protocol has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023494974) and the entire systematic review is expected to be completed by April 2024. The main goal of this review is to retrieve all current human research studies investigating the influence of ENDS on weight management among individuals who have quit or reduced smoking. Furthermore, the review will assess the quality of these studies and examine potential biases to identify the most dependable evidence available. Dissemination strategies will include traditional journal publications, social media announcements, and a white paper. The latter, available for download and distributed at conferences, aims to reach a broad audience, including clinicians and ENDS users. ConclusionsThe review will address the importance of informing health care professionals and patients about the current and robust evidence regarding the effects of transitioning to ENDS for smoking cessation on weight status. Trial RegistrationPROSPERO CRD42023494974; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=494974 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/56324https://www.researchprotocols.org/2024/1/e56324
spellingShingle Giusy Rita Maria La Rosa
Maria Ahmed Qureshi
Lucia Frittitta
Erika Anastasi
Riccardo Polosa
Effects of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Substitution on Body Weight Status: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
JMIR Research Protocols
title Effects of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Substitution on Body Weight Status: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_full Effects of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Substitution on Body Weight Status: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_fullStr Effects of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Substitution on Body Weight Status: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Substitution on Body Weight Status: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_short Effects of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Substitution on Body Weight Status: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_sort effects of electronic nicotine delivery systems substitution on body weight status protocol for a systematic review and meta analysis
url https://www.researchprotocols.org/2024/1/e56324
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