Spanish ER study finds CHS incidence of 4.4 per 10,000 visits, with capsaicin resolving vomiting in about 18 minutes
In a Spanish emergency department, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome occurred at a rate of 4.4 per 10,000 visits, half of patients returned for repeat episodes, and topical capsaicin 0.075% resolved vomiting in an average of about 18 minutes.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Across 59 ED visits from 29 patients, CHS incidence was 4.4 per 10,000 visits. Fifty percent of patients returned for repeat episodes, with returners having higher rates of tobacco and cocaine use. Capsaicin 0.075% was used in 74.6% of visits and resolved vomiting in a mean of 17.87 minutes.
Key Numbers
59 visits from 29 patients; 4.4 cases/10,000 visits (95% CI 2.8-4.7); 50% returned; capsaicin used in 74.6% of visits; mean time to vomiting resolution: 17.87 minutes.
How They Did This
Retrospective study of patients over 14 years old seen in a hospital emergency department during 2018-2019 with CHS diagnosis based on compatible clinical picture, cannabis use within 48 hours, and positive urine cannabis test.
Why This Research Matters
This is one of few studies providing incidence data for CHS in a European emergency department and demonstrates the rapid effectiveness of topical capsaicin as a first-line treatment.
The Bigger Picture
The high recurrence rate (50%) confirms that CHS is a chronic condition when cannabis use continues, and the rapid effectiveness of capsaicin cream suggests it should be a standard ED treatment for CHS.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single hospital, likely underdiagnosed cases. Retrospective design. Small patient number. Two-year timeframe may not capture seasonal variations. No comparison group for treatment effectiveness.
Questions This Raises
- ?Is CHS truly rare or just underdiagnosed?
- ?Would higher capsaicin concentrations work faster?
- ?Could capsaicin cream be used by patients at home for early symptom management?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Capsaicin resolved vomiting in ~18 minutes; 50% of patients returned
- Evidence Grade:
- Retrospective single-center study with useful incidence and treatment data, but likely underestimates true incidence.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022 with data from 2018-2019.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome: Incidence and treatment with topical capsaicin.
- Published In:
- Medicina clinica, 159(4), 183-186 (2022)
- Authors:
- Burillo-Putze, Guillermo(5), Trujillo-Burillo, David, García-Hernandez, Jose Carlos, López-Hernández, M Angeles, Hernández-Ramos, Iván, Ramos-Suárez, Isabel, Richards, John R
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03734
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
How common is CHS in the emergency department?
This Spanish study found about 4.4 CHS cases per 10,000 ER visits, but the researchers note CHS is probably underdiagnosed, so the true rate may be higher.
How does capsaicin cream work for CHS?
Applied topically to the abdomen, 0.075% capsaicin cream resolved vomiting in an average of about 18 minutes. It was used in nearly 75% of visits and appears to work by activating TRPV1 receptors involved in CHS pathophysiology.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03734APA
Burillo-Putze, Guillermo; Trujillo-Burillo, David; García-Hernandez, Jose Carlos; López-Hernández, M Angeles; Hernández-Ramos, Iván; Ramos-Suárez, Isabel; Richards, John R. (2022). Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome: Incidence and treatment with topical capsaicin.. Medicina clinica, 159(4), 183-186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medcli.2021.07.028
MLA
Burillo-Putze, Guillermo, et al. "Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome: Incidence and treatment with topical capsaicin.." Medicina clinica, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medcli.2021.07.028
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome: Incidence and treatment with ..." RTHC-03734. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/burillo-putze-2022-cannabis-hyperemesis-syndrome-incidence
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.