Cannabis use disorders linked to 38% higher medication non-compliance in schizophrenia patients
In over 1 million schizophrenia inpatients, those with cannabis use disorders had 38% higher odds of medication non-compliance after adjusting for demographics and comorbidities.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 1,030,949 schizophrenia inpatients (2010-2014), 26% were non-compliant with medications. Cannabis use disorder was independently associated with medication non-compliance (adjusted OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.268-1.489). CUD was disproportionately seen in young adults (18-35, 62.4%), males (80.5%), African Americans (54.1%), and low-income families (48.6%).
Key Numbers
1,030,949 inpatients; 26% medication non-compliance rate; unadjusted OR 1.49; adjusted OR 1.38 (CI 1.268-1.489); CUD patients: 62.4% young adults, 80.5% male, 54.1% African American.
How They Did This
Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) with 1,030,949 schizophrenia inpatients aged 18-65 from 2010-2014, using ICD-9 codes for CUD and medication non-compliance with multivariable logistic regression.
Why This Research Matters
Medication adherence is the single most important factor in schizophrenia outcomes. Identifying cannabis use disorder as a strong independent predictor of non-compliance helps target intervention resources.
The Bigger Picture
This supports integrated treatment models addressing both cannabis use and psychosis simultaneously, rather than treating them separately. The demographic profile of CUD in schizophrenia also highlights health disparities worth examining.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Administrative database with ICD-9 coding limitations; cross-sectional (cannot determine temporal order); "non-compliance" is a recorded diagnosis, not a direct measure; cannot distinguish recreational from self-medicating cannabis use.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does treating cannabis use disorder in schizophrenia patients improve medication adherence?
- ?Are young men with schizophrenia using cannabis to manage symptoms or side effects?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 38% higher medication non-compliance with cannabis use disorder (1M+ patients)
- Evidence Grade:
- Strong: massive national database with over 1 million patients and appropriate multivariable adjustment.
- Study Age:
- Published 2020.
- Original Title:
- Do cannabis use disorders increase medication non-compliance in schizophrenia?: United States Nationwide inpatient cross-sectional study.
- Published In:
- Schizophrenia research, 224, 40-44 (2020)
- Authors:
- Patel, Rikinkumar S(7), Sreeram, Venkatesh, Vadukapuram, Ramu, Baweja, Raman
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02771
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis use affect medication compliance in schizophrenia?
Yes. In over 1 million schizophrenia inpatients, those with cannabis use disorders had 38% higher odds of medication non-compliance even after adjusting for age, sex, race, income, and other factors.
Who is most affected?
Cannabis use disorder in schizophrenia was most common in young adults aged 18-35 (62.4%), males (80.5%), African Americans (54.1%), and those in the lowest income quartile (48.6%).
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02771APA
Patel, Rikinkumar S; Sreeram, Venkatesh; Vadukapuram, Ramu; Baweja, Raman. (2020). Do cannabis use disorders increase medication non-compliance in schizophrenia?: United States Nationwide inpatient cross-sectional study.. Schizophrenia research, 224, 40-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2020.11.002
MLA
Patel, Rikinkumar S, et al. "Do cannabis use disorders increase medication non-compliance in schizophrenia?: United States Nationwide inpatient cross-sectional study.." Schizophrenia research, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2020.11.002
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Do cannabis use disorders increase medication non-compliance..." RTHC-02771. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/patel-2020-do-cannabis-use-disorders
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.