CoEHAR researchers’ “guidebook”: how to identify data misinterpretations in ecig studies

Researchers from CoEHAR's In Silico Science project have developed a two-step technique to identify spin bias, research reporting that results in an intentional or unintentional misinterpretation of research results.

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Rome – Health, focus on “Global clinical risk: causes and intervention strategies”

One of the speakers of the event, moderated by Prof. Carla Bruschelli, was Prof. Riccardo Polosa, founder of CoEHAR, Center of Excellence for the acceleration of Harm Reduction, and professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Catania. The subject of his speech was the patient with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) with addiction to smoking, which he defined as "a difficult patient, because he has a long history that has created a strong alliance with cigarettes. Therefore, giving up smoking leads him to a great form of distress, because it represents a loss”.

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CEASEFIRE: first study in the world to assess the efficacy and safety of heated tobacco products and e-cig as a valid smoking cessation tool

“We observed an improvement in exercise tolerance in participants compared to the initial levels: many patients from the first month declared that they have more breath and to feel less fatigue in small but important daily activities such as climbing stairs or doing household” - added prof. Pasquale Caponnetto, professor of clinical psychology at DISFOR of the University of Catania and CoEHAR member.

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Schizophrenia spectrum disorders patients: smoking also harms friends and relatives

The high number of cigarettes smoked every day by patients with severe mental disorders does not only harm individual smokers but also their parents and the people around them. The habit of smoking is perceived as harmful and also causes discomfort to those close to patients with schizophrenia who can even smoke 60 cigarettes a day.

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State-of-the-art review article concludes that e-cigarettes may offer health benefits to COPD patients

The ground-breaking review article "Health impact of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Current and emerging evidence" published in Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine discusses existing and future options for COPD smokers who have difficulty quitting smoking. It also systematically reviews the current literature about e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The article is authored by CoEHAR researchers of the University of Catania together with British respiratory physicians at Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospitals in London.

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