Marijuana use not associated with worse kidney disease in adolescents, unlike cigarettes
Among 441 adolescents and young adults with chronic kidney disease, cigarette smoking was associated with higher proteinuria, but marijuana, alcohol, and e-cigarette use were not associated with worsening kidney function or disease progression.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Past-year and 30-day cigarette use were significantly associated with higher proteinuria (+18.6% and +20.0% respectively). Marijuana use (reported by 15%), alcohol (39%), and e-cigarette use (17%) were not associated with proteinuria, disease progression, or elevated blood pressure in adjusted models.
Key Numbers
441 participants; 1,245 person-visits; marijuana use 15%; cigarette use associated with +18.6% higher proteinuria (P < 0.05); marijuana, alcohol, e-cigarette not associated with kidney outcomes
How They Did This
Longitudinal analysis of 441 participants aged 16+ in the CKiD study contributing 1,245 person-visits. Repeated measures regression models with contemporaneous and lagged controls assessed associations between each substance and kidney function markers.
Why This Research Matters
Adolescents with chronic kidney disease face lifelong disease management. Knowing that marijuana does not appear to accelerate kidney disease (unlike cigarettes) provides important information for clinicians and families navigating substance use conversations.
The Bigger Picture
While this provides some reassurance about occasional marijuana use in CKD patients, it does not mean marijuana is safe. The finding reinforces that cigarette smoking remains the most harmful common substance for kidney function.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Relatively low prevalence of substance use limited statistical power. Self-reported use likely underestimates actual consumption. Cannot rule out effects at higher use levels. CKiD cohort may not represent all pediatric CKD patients.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would heavier marijuana use show kidney effects?
- ?Are there specific cannabinoids that affect kidney function?
- ?Should clinicians prioritize tobacco cessation over marijuana cessation in CKD patients?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Marijuana not associated with kidney disease progression; cigarettes were
- Evidence Grade:
- Well-established CKD cohort with longitudinal design and repeated measures, though low substance use prevalence limits power.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2021.
- Original Title:
- The association of alcohol, cigarette, e-cigarette, and marijuana use with disease severity in adolescents and young adults with pediatric chronic kidney disease.
- Published In:
- Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany), 36(8), 2493-2497 (2021)
- Authors:
- Molino, Andrea R, Jerry-Fluker, Judith, Atkinson, Meredith A, Furth, Susan L, Warady, Bradley A, Ng, Derek K
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03355
Evidence Hierarchy
Follows a group of people over time to track how outcomes develop.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does marijuana hurt kidneys?
In this study of adolescents with chronic kidney disease, occasional marijuana use was not associated with worsening kidney function, proteinuria, or blood pressure. However, this does not mean heavy use is safe.
Which substance was most harmful for kidney disease?
Cigarette smoking was the only substance significantly associated with higher proteinuria, a marker of kidney damage, in this study.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03355APA
Molino, Andrea R; Jerry-Fluker, Judith; Atkinson, Meredith A; Furth, Susan L; Warady, Bradley A; Ng, Derek K. (2021). The association of alcohol, cigarette, e-cigarette, and marijuana use with disease severity in adolescents and young adults with pediatric chronic kidney disease.. Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany), 36(8), 2493-2497. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-021-05044-5
MLA
Molino, Andrea R, et al. "The association of alcohol, cigarette, e-cigarette, and marijuana use with disease severity in adolescents and young adults with pediatric chronic kidney disease.." Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-021-05044-5
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "The association of alcohol, cigarette, e-cigarette, and mari..." RTHC-03355. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/molino-2021-the-association-of-alcohol
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.