Cannabis Use Disorder Linked to Longer ICU Stays but Not Higher Death Rates in Australian Hospitals
Among 34,680 ICU admissions across four Australian hospitals, 0.8% had a cannabis use disorder diagnosis, and these patients had longer ICU stays but similar mortality rates after adjusting for age and illness severity.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Of 34,680 ICU admissions, 292 (0.8%) had cannabis-related diagnoses. Cannabis-associated patients were younger (36 vs 62 years), more often male (73%), with fewer comorbidities. ICU LOS was longer (2 vs 1 days, p < 0.0001). After adjusting for age, severity, and comorbidities, the mortality difference disappeared (p = 1.0).
Key Numbers
34,680 admissions; 292 (0.8%) cannabis-related; median age 36 vs 62; 73% male; ICU LOS 2 vs 1 days (p < 0.0001); no mortality difference after adjustment.
How They Did This
Retrospective cohort analysis of 34,680 admissions among 28,689 adults at four public Australian ICUs. Cannabis use identified by ICD10-AM diagnostic codes.
Why This Research Matters
The finding that cannabis-associated patients stay longer in the ICU despite being younger and less comorbid suggests cannabis may complicate critical care management in ways not captured by standard severity scores.
The Bigger Picture
The longer ICU stay without increased mortality suggests cannabis-related complications extend recovery without worsening ultimate outcomes.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
ICD-10 coding likely underidentifies cannabis users. Cannot determine whether cannabis directly caused longer stays. Four Australian ICUs may not represent other settings.
Questions This Raises
- ?What specific factors drive the longer ICU stays in cannabis-associated patients?
- ?Does cannabis withdrawal contribute to prolonged ICU care?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Double the ICU length of stay despite younger age and fewer comorbidities
- Evidence Grade:
- Multi-center retrospective cohort with appropriate adjustment, limited by ICD-code identification.
- Study Age:
- 2024 publication
- Original Title:
- Cannabis use disorders and outcome of admission to intensive care: A retrospective multi-centre cohort study.
- Published In:
- Journal of critical care, 80, 154504 (2024)
- Authors:
- Renger, Laura(2), Dhanani, Jayesh, Milford, Elissa, Tabah, Alexis, Shekar, Kiran, Ramanan, Mahesh, Laupland, Kevin B
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05649
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis affect ICU outcomes?
In this study of 34,680 ICU admissions, cannabis-associated patients stayed twice as long (2 vs 1 day) despite being younger with fewer health problems. Mortality rates were the same after adjustment.
How common is cannabis use among ICU patients?
Only 0.8% had documented cannabis-related diagnoses, though the actual rate is likely higher. These patients were predominantly younger men (median age 36, 73% male).
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05649APA
Renger, Laura; Dhanani, Jayesh; Milford, Elissa; Tabah, Alexis; Shekar, Kiran; Ramanan, Mahesh; Laupland, Kevin B. (2024). Cannabis use disorders and outcome of admission to intensive care: A retrospective multi-centre cohort study.. Journal of critical care, 80, 154504. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrc.2023.154504
MLA
Renger, Laura, et al. "Cannabis use disorders and outcome of admission to intensive care: A retrospective multi-centre cohort study.." Journal of critical care, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrc.2023.154504
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis use disorders and outcome of admission to intensive..." RTHC-05649. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/renger-2024-cannabis-use-disorders-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.