COPD patients who used cannabis had lower odds of dying in hospital and getting pneumonia
Among 6 million COPD hospitalizations from 2005-2014, cannabis users had significantly lower odds of in-hospital mortality (OR 0.624) and pneumonia (OR 0.882) compared to non-users, with trends toward lower sepsis and respiratory failure.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Of 6,073,862 COPD hospitalizations, 24,546 (0.4%) had concurrent cannabis use. Cannabis users had significantly lower odds of in-hospital mortality (OR 0.624, p=0.031) and pneumonia (OR 0.882, p=0.006). Lower odds of sepsis (OR 0.749) and acute respiratory failure (OR 0.995) were also observed but did not reach statistical significance.
Key Numbers
6,073,862 COPD hospitalizations; 24,546 (0.4%) with cannabis use; 60% of cannabis users aged 50-64; mortality OR 0.624 (p=0.031); pneumonia OR 0.882 (p=0.006); sepsis OR 0.749 (p=0.113); respiratory failure OR 0.995 (p=0.941)
How They Did This
Retrospective analysis of the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2005-2014, identifying COPD hospitalizations with and without cannabis use via hospital discharge codes. Logistic regression assessed odds of mortality, pneumonia, sepsis, and respiratory failure.
Why This Research Matters
The finding that cannabis use was associated with better rather than worse COPD hospitalization outcomes is counterintuitive and challenges assumptions about cannabis and respiratory health, warranting further investigation.
The Bigger Picture
While the mechanism is unclear, cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties that could theoretically modify respiratory infection outcomes. However, the healthy user effect and selection biases in administrative data require careful interpretation.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Administrative database (NIS) relies on discharge codes which may under-identify cannabis use. Cannot control for cannabis type, frequency, or method of use. Healthy user bias: cannabis users may be younger and less sick at baseline. Observational design.
Questions This Raises
- ?Is the lower mortality driven by cannabinoid anti-inflammatory effects, or by the fact that cannabis users are younger and have less severe COPD?
- ?Would a prospective study confirm these findings?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 37.6% lower in-hospital mortality among cannabis-using COPD patients
- Evidence Grade:
- Large national database providing substantial power, but administrative data limitations and unmeasured confounders preclude causal conclusions.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2021 using 2005-2014 NIS data.
- Original Title:
- Trends in Prevalence and Outcomes of Cannabis Use Among Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Hospitalizations: A Nationwide Population-Based Study 2005-2014.
- Published In:
- Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 6(4), 340-348 (2021)
- Authors:
- Gunasekaran, Kulothungan, Voruganti, Dinesh C, Singh Rahi, Mandeep, Elango, Kalaimani, Ramalingam, Sathishkumar, Geeti, Adiba, Kwon, Jeff
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03177
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis protect COPD patients?
The study found lower mortality and pneumonia rates among cannabis-using COPD patients, but this does not prove protection. Cannabis users were mostly younger (60% aged 50-64) and may have had less severe disease. The finding is hypothesis-generating, not conclusive.
Should COPD patients use cannabis?
This study does not support recommending cannabis for COPD. The favorable outcomes may reflect confounding factors rather than a true protective effect. Smoking cannabis can still cause bronchitis and respiratory irritation.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03177APA
Gunasekaran, Kulothungan; Voruganti, Dinesh C; Singh Rahi, Mandeep; Elango, Kalaimani; Ramalingam, Sathishkumar; Geeti, Adiba; Kwon, Jeff. (2021). Trends in Prevalence and Outcomes of Cannabis Use Among Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Hospitalizations: A Nationwide Population-Based Study 2005-2014.. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 6(4), 340-348. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2020.0133
MLA
Gunasekaran, Kulothungan, et al. "Trends in Prevalence and Outcomes of Cannabis Use Among Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Hospitalizations: A Nationwide Population-Based Study 2005-2014.." Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2020.0133
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Trends in Prevalence and Outcomes of Cannabis Use Among Chro..." RTHC-03177. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/gunasekaran-2021-trends-in-prevalence-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.