Cannabis Use Linked to Increased Mortality in Asthma Patients: CHEST

Written By : Jacinthlyn Sylvia |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2023-10-24T09:30:59+05:30 | Updated On 24 Oct 2023 12:54 PM IST

According to findings presented in a CHEST Annual Meeting, cannabis use appears to be associated with higher mortality and morbidity rates in patients experiencing acute asthma attacks.

The study used the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2016 to 2019, identified 16,915 patients with concurrent cannabis use out of a total of 406,800 patients admitted to hospitals due to acute asthma exacerbation. The data revealed alarming trends among those who had used cannabis.

Comparing patients with cannabis use to those without, it was found that cannabis users who presented with acute asthma attacks were at significantly higher risk. This increased risk was observed in several critical aspects:

Patients with cannabis use had an odds ratio of 2.187 (95% CI 1.762 to 2.716, P-value <0.001), signifying a substantially higher risk of mortality.
The odds ratio for requiring mechanical ventilation was 1.421 (95% CI 1.358 to 1.486, P-value <0.001), indicating a greater likelihood of needing respiratory support.
The odds ratio for experiencing altered mental status was 1.269 (95% CI 1.422 to 1.866, P-value <0.001), highlighting a higher incidence of cognitive impairment.

However, the study did not find significant differences between the two groups regarding the development of bacterial pneumonia or sepsis.

These findings suggest a critical link between cannabis use and worsened outcomes for asthma patients. Patients with concurrent cannabis use experienced notably higher mortality rates and were more likely to require intensive care measures like mechanical ventilation. Additionally, the study indicated a greater likelihood of experiencing altered mental states in these patients.

It's important to note that further research is necessary to explore whether the severity of these negative effects is dose-dependent, and if other factors may contribute to these alarming outcomes.

Asthma patients are advised to avoid cannabis use due to the increased risk of severe health consequences, particularly in the event of an acute asthma attack. This research highlights the need for more extensive investigations into the relationship between cannabis use and asthma, with a focus on understanding the potential dose-dependent effects.

Source:

DALBAH, R., HADDADEN, M., HADDADIN, B., CECCHINI, A., ABDELHAY, A., & HOSKERE, G. V. (2023). EFFECTS OF CANNABIS USE ON ACUTE ASTHMA EXACERBATION IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS. In CHEST (Vol. 164, Issue 4, p. A58). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2023.07.097

CHEST journalCannabis useAcute asthma exacerbation

Source : CHEST

Jacinthlyn Sylvia

Neuroscience Masters graduate

Jacinthlyn Sylvia, a Neuroscience Master's graduate from Chennai has worked extensively in deciphering the neurobiology of cognition and motor control in aging. She also has spread-out exposure to Neurosurgery from her Bachelor’s. She is currently involved in active Neuro-Oncology research. She is an upcoming neuroscientist with a fiery passion for writing. Her news cover at Medical Dialogues feature recent discoveries and updates from the healthcare and biomedical research fields. She can be reached at editorial@medicaldialogues.in

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751