image: Dr. Nicholas Vozoris, lead author, respiratory specialist at St. Michael’s Hospital of Unity Health in Toronto and associate at the Li Ka Shing Institute of Knowledge at the hospital. See more
Credit: Unity Health Toronto
Emergency department visits and hospitalizations are 22% higher among people who use cannabis than those who do not, according to a new study.
The study, published in the BMJ Open Respiratory Research and led by researchers from Unity Health Toronto and ICES, found that serious physical injuries and respiratory causes are the two leading causes of ED visits and hospitalizations among cannabis users.
The findings suggest a link between cannabis use and adverse health events, which researchers say should emphasize the need to educate and remind the public about the harmful effects of cannabis on health. Recreational cannabis use has increased in Canada since decriminalization in October 2018.
“Our study shows that cannabis use in the general population is associated with an increased risk of clinically serious adverse outcomes, in particular, the need to present in ED or be admitted to hospital,” said Dr. Nicholas Vozoris, lead author. , a respiratory specialist in St. Michael and associate scientist at the Li Ka Shing Institute of Knowledge at the hospital.
“Unlike tobacco, there is some uncertainty or controversy about the adverse health effects of cannabis. Some people may think that cannabis has some health benefits and is otherwise benign. Our study emphasizes to those who use – or plan to use – cannabis that this behavior is associated with important adverse health events.
To compare health outcomes among cannabis users and non-cannabis users, the researchers used data collected in a study of individuals who self-reported cannabis use and linked it to ICES health administrative data for Ontario residents aged 12 to 65 years.
Using a matching outcome score – a statistical matching technique – the researchers compared the health outcomes of nearly 4,800 people who reported cannabis use in the previous 12 months with the health outcomes of more than 10,000 individuals who reported never using cannabis. or have used cannabis only once and more than 12 months ago. The researchers included 31 different variables while comparing study participants to minimize unfair comparisons, including demographics, multiple physical and mental illnesses, and tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use.
The main aim of the study was to examine whether there was a link between cannabis use and airway hospitalization or ED visits. Researchers have not found significant links between cannabis use and airway-related visits to ED, hospitalizations or death from any cause. However, they found that overall ED visits or hospitalizations were for some reason significantly higher among cannabis users.
In addition to being more likely to go to ED or be hospitalized, the findings show that one in 25 people who use cannabis will go to the emergency department (ED) or be admitted to hospital within a year of cannabis use.
Among the reasons why cannabis users go to ED or have been hospitalized, acute trauma – defined as bodily injury – is the most common, with 15% of cannabis users receiving medical care receiving it for this reason. , and 14% received care for respiratory causes.
“The results of our study support that health professionals and the government should discourage the consumption of cannabis for entertainment among the general population. Given the context of the decriminalization of cannabis in Canada, which is likely to have facilitated the wider use of this product by the general public, we need to do more of our health and policy leaders to educate and remind citizens about the harmful effects of cannabis on health. “Said Dr. Vozoris, who is also a scientist at ICES
diary
BMJ Open respiratory examination
Research method
Observational study
Subject of research
people
Article title
Cannabis use and the risks of respiratory morbidity and mortality from all causes: population-based, data-related, cohort study
Date of publication of the article
June 27, 2022
COI statement
Not for declaration
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