Young adults with cannabis use disorder had lower odds of pulmonary embolism hospitalization but longer hospital stays when admitted
In a national database of over 8 million young adult hospital admissions, cannabis use disorder was associated with lower odds of pulmonary embolism but longer stays and higher costs when PE did occur.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 8,438,858 young adult (18-44) admissions in 2018, 61,965 were PE-related, with 1,705 (0.6%) having cannabis use disorder. After adjustment, CUD was associated with lower odds of PE hospitalization (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.71-0.90). In-hospital mortality did not differ between groups. However, the CUD group had longer median hospital stays and higher costs.
Key Numbers
8,438,858 young adult admissions. 61,965 PE-related (0.7%). CUD prevalence among PE admissions: 0.6%. Adjusted OR for PE with CUD: 0.80 (95% CI 0.71-0.90). No mortality difference. Longer hospital stays and higher costs in the CUD group.
How They Did This
Retrospective analysis of the 2018 National Inpatient Sample. Multivariable regression adjusted for covariates. Propensity score-matched analysis (1:6) was also performed to assess in-hospital outcomes.
Why This Research Matters
The relationship between cannabis use and blood clot risk is poorly understood. This large national analysis provides unexpected findings that challenge assumptions about cannabis and thromboembolism in younger patients.
The Bigger Picture
The lower odds of PE hospitalization in cannabis users is counterintuitive given reports of prothrombotic effects. This may reflect confounding by age, other substance use patterns, or differences in how cannabis users present to hospitals rather than a true protective effect.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional database analysis cannot determine causation. CUD diagnosis codes undercount cannabis use. Cannot distinguish dose, frequency, or method of use. Administrative data may have coding inaccuracies. Single-year analysis.
Questions This Raises
- ?What explains the paradoxically lower PE odds?
- ?Is the longer hospital stay related to substance use management rather than PE severity?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 8.4 million admissions; 20% lower PE odds with CUD
- Evidence Grade:
- Large national database with propensity matching, but cross-sectional design and administrative data limit causal inference.
- Study Age:
- 2024 study
- Original Title:
- Association of Cannabis Use Disorder With Hospitalizations for Pulmonary Embolism and Subsequent in-Hospital Mortality in Young Adults: A Contemporary Nationwide Analysis.
- Published In:
- Journal of the American Heart Association, 13(13), e032787 (2024)
- Authors:
- Desai, Rupak(6), Ghadge, Nitin, Kanagala, Sai Gautham, Katukuri, Nishanth, James, Alpha, Kadiyala, Avinash, Vutukuru, Sai Diksha, Kotharu, Meghana, Borzoo, Tajdin, Nalla, Akhila, Vyas, Ankit, Priyadarshni, Shivani, Shalaby, Mostafa, Khalife, Wissam
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05264
Evidence Hierarchy
Watches what happens naturally without intervening.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pulmonary embolism?
A blood clot that travels to the lungs, blocking blood flow. It can be life-threatening and typically causes sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and rapid heart rate.
Does this mean cannabis protects against blood clots?
Not necessarily. The lower odds could reflect confounding factors like age differences, other health behaviors, or how cannabis users access healthcare rather than a biological protective effect.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05264APA
Desai, Rupak; Ghadge, Nitin; Kanagala, Sai Gautham; Katukuri, Nishanth; James, Alpha; Kadiyala, Avinash; Vutukuru, Sai Diksha; Kotharu, Meghana; Borzoo, Tajdin; Nalla, Akhila; Vyas, Ankit; Priyadarshni, Shivani; Shalaby, Mostafa; Khalife, Wissam. (2024). Association of Cannabis Use Disorder With Hospitalizations for Pulmonary Embolism and Subsequent in-Hospital Mortality in Young Adults: A Contemporary Nationwide Analysis.. Journal of the American Heart Association, 13(13), e032787. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.123.032787
MLA
Desai, Rupak, et al. "Association of Cannabis Use Disorder With Hospitalizations for Pulmonary Embolism and Subsequent in-Hospital Mortality in Young Adults: A Contemporary Nationwide Analysis.." Journal of the American Heart Association, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.123.032787
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Association of Cannabis Use Disorder With Hospitalizations f..." RTHC-05264. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/desai-2024-association-of-cannabis-use
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.