Pulmonary circulation disorders in cannabis users tripled over seven years with doubled mortality risk
A nationwide analysis of 3.3 million cannabis-related hospitalizations found that pulmonary circulation disorder cases increased 200% from 2007 to 2014, with those patients facing twice the in-hospital mortality risk.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 3,307,310 cannabis-related hospitalizations, 20,328 (0.61%) involved pulmonary circulation disorders. PCD-related hospitalizations increased 200% (from 0.3% to 0.9%) over the study period. Patients with cannabis and PCD had an all-cause in-hospital mortality of 4.1% vs. 0.5% without PCD. Adjusted odds ratio for mortality was 2.17.
Key Numbers
3,307,310 total cannabis hospitalizations. 20,328 with PCD (0.61%). 200% relative increase in PCD prevalence (0.3% to 0.9%, 2007-2014). In-hospital mortality: 4.1% with PCD vs. 0.5% without. Adjusted OR for mortality: 2.17 (95% CI: 1.99-2.36). PCD patients were older (mean 47 vs. 34 years). Median hospital stay: 6 vs. 3 days.
How They Did This
Analysis of the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2007-2014, comparing cannabis users with pulmonary circulation disorders to those without. Examined demographics, comorbidities, and in-hospital outcomes including mortality and healthcare utilization.
Why This Research Matters
The 200% increase in pulmonary circulation disorders among cannabis users, combined with doubled mortality risk, suggests this is an emerging and potentially life-threatening complication that clinicians should monitor.
The Bigger Picture
While cardiovascular effects of cannabis have received less attention than respiratory or psychiatric risks, this study suggests pulmonary vascular disease may be an underrecognized complication of cannabis use disorder.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Administrative database study cannot establish causation. ICD coding may misclassify conditions. Cannabis use disorder diagnosis does not capture dose, duration, or route. PCD patients were older with more comorbidities, which confound the mortality comparison. Temporal association does not prove cannabis caused PCD.
Questions This Raises
- ?Is smoking route responsible, or do all cannabis delivery methods carry pulmonary vascular risk?
- ?Would the trend continue after 2014 with rising cannabis use?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 200% increase in PCD; 2.17x adjusted mortality risk
- Evidence Grade:
- Large nationwide database study with 3.3 million hospitalizations and multivariable adjustment, though limited by administrative data constraints.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022, covering 2007-2014 NIS data.
- Original Title:
- Nationwide Trends in Hospitalizations and Outcomes of Pulmonary Circulation Disorders Among Patients With Cannabis Use Disorder in the United States.
- Published In:
- Cureus, 14(3), e22897 (2022)
- Authors:
- Jain, Akhil(2), Gandhi, Zainab(2), Desai, Rupak(6), Mansuri, Uvesh, Rizvi, Bisharah, Alvarez, Melissa, Gupta, Puneet
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03927
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabis cause lung circulation problems?
This nationwide study found a 200% increase in pulmonary circulation disorders among cannabis users from 2007 to 2014, with those patients having twice the in-hospital mortality risk, though causation was not established.
How dangerous are pulmonary complications from cannabis?
Cannabis users with pulmonary circulation disorders had 4.1% in-hospital mortality versus 0.5% for those without, stayed twice as long in the hospital, and were more likely to need skilled nursing care after discharge.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03927APA
Jain, Akhil; Gandhi, Zainab; Desai, Rupak; Mansuri, Uvesh; Rizvi, Bisharah; Alvarez, Melissa; Gupta, Puneet. (2022). Nationwide Trends in Hospitalizations and Outcomes of Pulmonary Circulation Disorders Among Patients With Cannabis Use Disorder in the United States.. Cureus, 14(3), e22897. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.22897
MLA
Jain, Akhil, et al. "Nationwide Trends in Hospitalizations and Outcomes of Pulmonary Circulation Disorders Among Patients With Cannabis Use Disorder in the United States.." Cureus, 2022. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.22897
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Nationwide Trends in Hospitalizations and Outcomes of Pulmon..." RTHC-03927. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/jain-2022-nationwide-trends-in-hospitalizations
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.