Clinicians can distinguish cannabis hyperemesis from diabetic gastroparesis using age, sex, and diabetes duration
In people with type 1 diabetes, older age, longer diabetes duration, female sex, lower A1C, and diabetic neuropathy favor a diagnosis of gastroparesis over cannabis hyperemesis syndrome.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
The study identified clinical features that help differentiate diabetic gastroparesis (DG) from cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) in people with type 1 diabetes, two conditions with substantially overlapping presentations of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Older age, longer diabetes duration, female sex, lower A1C, and presence of diabetic neuropathy were indicators favoring DG over CHS.
Key Numbers
Differentiating factors: older age, longer diabetes duration, female sex, lower A1C, and diabetic neuropathy favor gastroparesis over CHS
How They Did This
Clinical comparison study of people with type 1 diabetes presenting with symptoms consistent with either diabetic gastroparesis or cannabis hyperemesis syndrome. Specific sample size and study design details limited in the brief report format.
Why This Research Matters
Cannabis hyperemesis and diabetic gastroparesis present nearly identically, and misdiagnosis in either direction leads to inappropriate treatment. As cannabis use increases among people with diabetes, clinicians need practical tools to tell these conditions apart.
The Bigger Picture
Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome has become increasingly recognized as cannabis use rises, but its overlap with common gastrointestinal conditions creates diagnostic challenges. This is especially relevant in populations with pre-existing GI conditions like diabetic gastroparesis.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Brief clinical report with limited sample size details. Retrospective identification of differentiating factors may not fully capture the complexity of clinical presentations. Does not address cases where both conditions may co-occur.
Questions This Raises
- ?How often is CHS misdiagnosed as diabetic gastroparesis in clinical practice?
- ?Could a validated screening tool incorporating these clinical features improve diagnostic accuracy?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Older age and neuropathy favor gastroparesis; younger age favors CHS
- Evidence Grade:
- Brief clinical report provides useful practical guidance but lacks detailed methodology and sample size information, limiting confidence in the specificity of differentiating features.
- Study Age:
- 2025 publication
- Original Title:
- Differentiating Diabetic Gastroparesis and Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome in People With Type 1 Diabetes.
- Published In:
- Clinical diabetes : a publication of the American Diabetes Association, 43(3), 416-419 (2025)
- Authors:
- Akturk, Halis Kaan(2), Mason, Emma, Snell-Bergeon, Janet(2), Shah, Viral N, Karakus, Kagan Ege
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05889
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it hard to tell these conditions apart?
Both cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome and diabetic gastroparesis cause recurrent nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In a person with type 1 diabetes who uses cannabis, either or both conditions could explain the symptoms.
What clues point toward cannabis hyperemesis instead of gastroparesis?
Younger age, shorter diabetes duration, male sex, higher A1C, and absence of diabetic neuropathy favor a CHS diagnosis, along with a history of prolonged cannabis use and symptom relief with hot showers.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05889APA
Akturk, Halis Kaan; Mason, Emma; Snell-Bergeon, Janet; Shah, Viral N; Karakus, Kagan Ege. (2025). Differentiating Diabetic Gastroparesis and Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome in People With Type 1 Diabetes.. Clinical diabetes : a publication of the American Diabetes Association, 43(3), 416-419. https://doi.org/10.2337/cd24-0096
MLA
Akturk, Halis Kaan, et al. "Differentiating Diabetic Gastroparesis and Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome in People With Type 1 Diabetes.." Clinical diabetes : a publication of the American Diabetes Association, 2025. https://doi.org/10.2337/cd24-0096
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Differentiating Diabetic Gastroparesis and Cannabis Hypereme..." RTHC-05889. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/akturk-2025-differentiating-diabetic-gastroparesis-and
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.