Scientific Studies as "Click Bait?"

Jeffrey A. SingerA study published last week in theJournal of the American Medical Association reported on an association between e-cigarette use and depression. The cross-sectional study of nearly 900,000 e-cigarette users who self-reported into theBehavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System from 2016 to 2017 found that users had a higher likelihood of reporting a history of depression, and that incrementally higher frequency e-cigarette use was associated with an incrementally higher likelihood of reporting depression.The authors mention that several earlier studies showed an association betweentobacco smoking and depression, but there are few studies looking at an association between e-cigarettes and depression. Regarding the meaning of their findings, the authors stated:These findings highlight the need for longitudinal studies to examine the association between e-cigarette use and depression, which may be bidirectional.And in their conclusions, the authors note “the need for prospective studies analyzing the longitudinal risk of depression with e-cigarette use.”Correlation does not imply causation. And  the fact that nicotine delivered in liquid vaping cartridges carries an association with depression among its users similar to that known to exist with nicotine delivered in combustible tobacco cigarette smoke should not come as earthshaking news.At first blush, one is moved to ask what the researchers  were trying to accomplish.The authors admit  that any associati...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - Category: American Health Authors: Source Type: blogs