Table 2.
ECIG User-Identified Clusters and Statements Describing ECIG-Related Negative Respiratory Symptoms
| Cluster | Statement | Average rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fatigue | 3.88 | |
| 19. Get fatigued or tired quickly during physical activity | 4.13 | |
| 29. Lowered stamina | 3.76 | |
| 28. Fatigue | 3.74 | |
| Chest Symptoms | 3.32 | |
| 14. Incapable of prolonged physical activity without losing breath | 3.66 | |
| 23. Tightness in chest | 3.63 | |
| 53. Chest pain | 3.05 | |
| 40. Heart palpitations | 2.95 | |
| Illness Symptoms | 2.98 | |
| 52. Headache | 3.63 | |
| 7. Dizziness | 3.42 | |
| 4. Sick more often | 3.41 | |
| 33. Sweats | 3.03 | |
| 51. Nausea | 2.89 | |
| 46. Blurred vision | 2.66 | |
| 24. Vomiting | 1.87 | |
| Mucus and Congestion | 3.70 | |
| 32. Extra phlegm/mucus | 3.92 | |
| 12. Coughing up phlegm | 3.84 | |
| 41. Mucus in my throat | 3.82 | |
| 56. Nasal congestion | 3.76 | |
| 49. Congestion | 3.71 | |
| 14. More mouth breathing | 3.68 | |
| 27. Chest congestion | 3.17 | |
| Breathing Problems | 3.44 | |
| 35. Coughing | 4.21 | |
| 36. Shortness of breath | 4.05 | |
| 50. Difficulty breathing | 3.74 | |
| 43. Loss of lung capacity | 3.61 | |
| 38. Wheezing | 3.26 | |
| 9. Severe coughing fits | 3.16 | |
| 45. Can’t take a deep breath | 3.05 | |
| 16. Pain in back with deep breaths | 2.43 | |
| Mouth Symptoms | 3.36 | |
| 3. Bad taste in mouth | 4.63 | |
| 8. Dry mouth | 4.47 | |
| 2. Dry tongue | 4.37 | |
| 13. Deadened taste buds and sense of taste | 3.55 | |
| 5. Bad breath | 3.38 | |
| 20. Sore tongue | 3.16 | |
| 11. Metallic taste in mouth | 3.08 | |
| 17. Toothache | 2.92 | |
| 6. Swollen and painful gums | 2.79 | |
| 10. Mouth sores | 2.74 | |
| 39. Lips chapped and painful | 2.63 | |
| 44. Tooth decay | 2.61 | |
| Nose and Sinus Symptoms | 2.80 | |
| 34. Sinus issues | 3.55 | |
| 25. Runny nose | 3.03 | |
| 26. Burning in my nose | 2.87 | |
| 30. Post-nasal drip that tastes like e-liquid | 2.71 | |
| 54. Swollen lymph nodes | 2.55 | |
| 37. Sneezy | 2.45 | |
| 47. Tingling sensation in nose | 2.42 | |
| Throat Symptoms | 3.53 | |
| 1. Throat feels itchy or scratchy | 4.58 | |
| 18. Dry throat | 4.21 | |
| 21. Throat feeling burned | 3.89 | |
| 31. Sore throat | 3.68 | |
| 55. Throat tingling | 3.39 | |
| 52. Throat pain after waking up | 3.37 | |
| 48. Hard time swallowing | 2.74 | |
| 22. White spots in throat | 2.37 |
Mean ratings are based on responses to the prompt “I have experienced this negative respiratory symptom/effect from vaping/using my electronic cigarette” using a 7-point scale from 1 (Never) to 7 (Very Often). ECIGs = electronic cigarettes.