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AGA Clinical Practice Update Provides Expert Guidance on Diagnosing and Managing Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

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The takeaway

The American Gastroenterological Association issued its first clinical practice update on cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, providing expert-reviewed guidance on diagnosis and management of this increasingly common condition.

Gastroenterologists, emergency physicians, primary care doctors, cannabis-using patients with GI symptoms

First AGA clinical practice update on CHS

What the researchers found

The AGA Clinical Practice Update provides consensus expert guidance on recognizing, diagnosing, and treating CHS, a condition characterized by cyclic nausea, vomiting, and compulsive hot water bathing in the setting of chronic cannabis use. The update underwent internal and external peer review.

Why it matters

CHS is increasingly common with rising cannabis use but remains underdiagnosed. Having the AGA, the leading US gastroenterology organization, publish formal guidance legitimizes the condition and gives clinicians a reference standard for diagnosis and management.

The numbers in context

First AGA clinical practice update on CHS; peer-reviewed by CPUC and approved by AGA Governing Board.

How the study worked

Expert commentary commissioned by the AGA Clinical Practice Updates Committee, incorporating published evidence and author experience, with internal and external peer review.

What this study cannot tell us

Expert commentary rather than systematic review. Based on limited published evidence. Author experience may not represent all clinical settings.

How to read the evidence

AGA-commissioned expert commentary with peer review, representing professional consensus rather than systematic evidence review.

When this study was published

2024 publication

The bigger picture

As cannabis use increases, emergency departments and gastroenterologists are seeing more CHS cases. Official professional society guidance helps standardize care and may reduce the diagnostic delays that characterize this condition.

Questions still open

  • Will this guidance reduce the average time to CHS diagnosis?
  • Are the recommended treatments supported by randomized controlled trials?

Common questions

What is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?
CHS is a condition in chronic cannabis users characterized by cyclic nausea, vomiting, and compulsive hot water bathing. The AGA has now issued formal clinical guidance on its diagnosis and management.
How is CHS diagnosed and treated?
The AGA clinical practice update provides expert-reviewed guidance on recognizing CHS, distinguishing it from other conditions, and managing it. The full guidance was published in Gastroenterology in 2024.

Read the original research

AGA Clinical Practice Update on Diagnosis and Management of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: Commentary.

Gastroenterology, 166(5), 930-934.e1

Citation

Rubio-Tapia, Alberto; McCallum, Richard; Camilleri, Michael. (2024). AGA Clinical Practice Update on Diagnosis and Management of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: Commentary.. Gastroenterology, 166(5), 930-934.e1. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2024.01.040

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