Cyclic vomiting hospitalizations jumped 46% in Colorado as cannabis use rose with legalization
Cyclic vomiting syndrome hospitalizations in Colorado increased 46% from 2010 to 2014, alongside rising cannabis use after recreational legalization, with CVS patients having 8-10 times higher cannabis use rates than other hospitalized patients.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
CVS hospitalizations increased 46% from 806 (2010) to 1,180 (2014). Cannabis use prevalence in CVS patients (13-17%) was dramatically higher than in non-CVS hospitalizations (1.7%). Cannabis use increased in both groups following recreational legalization in 2012.
Key Numbers
CVS hospitalizations up 46%: 806 (2010) to 1,180 (2014). Cannabis use in CVS: 13% (primary diagnosis) to 17% (all-listed). Non-CVS cannabis use: 1.7%. Cannabis use increased dramatically in both groups after 2012 legalization.
How They Did This
Retrospective analysis of the Colorado State Inpatient Database covering all hospital admissions from 2010-2014. Five-year trends in CVS hospitalizations and cannabis use analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression for predictors of cannabis use in CVS.
Why This Research Matters
This provides population-level evidence linking cannabis legalization to increased cyclic vomiting hospitalizations, a relationship with significant healthcare cost implications as more states legalize.
The Bigger Picture
As cannabis legalization spreads, the healthcare system impact from cannabinoid hyperemesis and related vomiting syndromes may grow. This Colorado data, from one of the first states to legalize recreationally, provides an early signal of what other states might expect.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Observational study cannot prove causation between legalization and CVS increases. ICD coding for CVS may have changed over time (increased awareness = more diagnoses). Cannot distinguish cannabinoid hyperemesis from other CVS causes in administrative data.
Questions This Raises
- ?How much of the CVS increase reflects true incidence versus better recognition?
- ?Will other legalizing states see similar patterns?
- ?What proportion of CVS cases are actually cannabinoid hyperemesis?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 46% increase in CVS admissions
- Evidence Grade:
- Rated moderate because this uses comprehensive state hospital data over 5 years, though the observational design and potential coding changes limit causal inference.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2019 covering 2010-2014 data, the earliest years of Colorado recreational legalization.
- Original Title:
- Recent trends in cyclic vomiting syndrome-associated hospitalisations with liberalisation of cannabis use in the state of Colorado.
- Published In:
- Internal medicine journal, 49(5), 649-655 (2019)
- Authors:
- Bhandari, Sanjay(2), Jha, Pinky, Lisdahl, Krista M(13), Hillard, Cecilia J, Venkatesan, Thangam
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01941
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Did legalizing cannabis increase vomiting hospitalizations?
CVS hospitalizations in Colorado increased 46% between 2010 and 2014, concurrent with rising cannabis use after recreational legalization. However, the study cannot prove legalization directly caused the increase.
How common is cannabis use among people hospitalized for vomiting?
Cannabis use was found in 13-17% of CVS patients, compared to only 1.7% of other hospitalized patients, suggesting a strong association.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01941APA
Bhandari, Sanjay; Jha, Pinky; Lisdahl, Krista M; Hillard, Cecilia J; Venkatesan, Thangam. (2019). Recent trends in cyclic vomiting syndrome-associated hospitalisations with liberalisation of cannabis use in the state of Colorado.. Internal medicine journal, 49(5), 649-655. https://doi.org/10.1111/imj.14164
MLA
Bhandari, Sanjay, et al. "Recent trends in cyclic vomiting syndrome-associated hospitalisations with liberalisation of cannabis use in the state of Colorado.." Internal medicine journal, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1111/imj.14164
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Recent trends in cyclic vomiting syndrome-associated hospita..." RTHC-01941. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/bhandari-2019-recent-trends-in-cyclic
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.