Frequent Cannabis Use Tied to High Disease Burden in CHS

TOPLINE:

A study highlighted the significant healthcare burden associated with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), particularly among individuals who engage in heavy daily cannabis use or begin use before the age of 18 years.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers conducted an internet-based survey of 1052 adults (mean age, 33.1 years; 69.1% women) with self-reported CHS through Facebook and Reddit support groups between May and September 2023.
• Participants answered questions on cannabis use patterns, including duration of daily use (in years), usage per day, and age of initiation of daily use.
• The study outcomes were hospitalization.

TAKEAWAY:

• Daily cannabis use was prevalent, with 82.2% of participants using cannabis ≥ 3 times per day and 41.5% ≥ 6 times per day before CHS onset.
• Overall, 84.9% of individuals had at least one emergency department visit, and 44.2% experienced at least one hospitalization due to CHS.
• High-frequency CHS episodes were linked to greater hospitalization rates (odds ratio [OR], 1.52; 95% CI, 1.18-1.97).
• Initiation of daily cannabis use before the age of 18 years was linked to higher odds of emergency department visits (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.13-2.39).

IN PRACTICE:

“This study highlights the substantial disease burden associated with CHS in an online support group cohort and underscores the possible risks of heavy daily cannabis use and of use starting in adolescence,” the authors wrote.

SOURCE:

This study was led by Andrew C. Meltzer, MD, MS, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, DC. It was published online on February 20 in Annals of Emergency Medicine.

LIMITATIONS:

The study relied on self-reported data from online support groups, introducing potential selection and recall biases. The lack of independent verification of CHS diagnoses and the absence of a control group limited the generalizability of the findings.

DISCLOSURES:

The study did not receive any funding. The authors reported no relevant financial relationships.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.