Cannabis Use Was Independently Linked to More ER Visits and Hospitalizations in Gastroparesis Patients

Cannabis use was independently associated with both ED visits and hospitalizations in gastroparesis patients, even after controlling for other factors. Other independent predictors included younger age, Black race, lower income, higher gastric retention, antiemetic use, jejunostomy tube presence, and higher nausea/vomiting scores. Hospitalizations were additionally linked to diabetic etiology and depression.

Cross-sectional analysis of 406 patients with gastroparesis symptoms who underwent gastric emptying scintigraphy and completed questionnaires on symptoms, mental health, quality of life, and healthcare utilization over the prior year.

Cannabis is commonly used by gastroparesis patients, sometimes for symptom relief. The finding that cannabis use is associated with more, not fewer, emergency visits and hospitalizations challenges the assumption that self-medication with cannabis reduces healthcare utilization in this population.

The relationship between cannabis and gastroparesis is complex. Cannabis can cause cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, which mimics gastroparesis symptoms, and chronic use may worsen gastric motility. This study adds evidence that cannabis use in this patient population is associated with worse, not better, healthcare outcomes.

Cross-sectional design cannot determine whether cannabis use causes more healthcare utilization or whether sicker patients are more likely to use cannabis. Self-reported cannabis use. Cannot distinguish between different cannabis products or consumption methods. Referral center population may not represent all gastroparesis patients.