Cannabis use among people with schizophrenia was not linked to more hospitalizations or longer stays after adjusting for other factors
Among 517 hospitalized patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, cannabis users had shorter hospital stays than non-users, but this difference disappeared after controlling for covariates.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis-only users (n=55) had shorter mean hospital stays than non-substance users (n=462): 6.15 vs. 8.66 days. However, this difference was no longer significant after controlling for covariates (p=0.15). The number of psychiatric admissions did not differ between groups.
Key Numbers
Cannabis users: 55. Non-users: 462. Mean LOS cannabis group: 6.15 days (SD 5.32). Mean LOS non-users: 8.66 days (SD 11.14). Mean admissions: 1.84. Unadjusted p=0.035; adjusted p=0.15.
How They Did This
Retrospective comparison of 55 cannabis-only users and 462 non-substance users hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Used Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests, ANOVA, and Poisson regression with covariate adjustment.
Why This Research Matters
Contrary to common assumptions, cannabis use did not predict worse hospitalization outcomes in this population, suggesting the relationship between cannabis and schizophrenia course may be more nuanced than assumed.
The Bigger Picture
The finding that cannabis use did not worsen hospitalization metrics in schizophrenia challenges the assumption that cannabis universally worsens psychotic disorder outcomes.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small cannabis-only group (n=55). Retrospective design. Cannot account for cannabis potency, frequency, or timing relative to symptoms. Excluded polydrug users, limiting generalizability.
Questions This Raises
- ?What covariates drove the loss of significance in adjusted models?
- ?Does the type of cannabis (high-THC vs. balanced) matter for hospitalization outcomes in schizophrenia?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Cannabis use did not predict worse hospitalization outcomes after covariate adjustment
- Evidence Grade:
- Retrospective study with small cannabis group and limited covariate data.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2021.
- Original Title:
- Psychiatric Hospitalization and Length of Stay Differences in Cannabis Users and Non-Users with a Primary Discharge Diagnosis of Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder.
- Published In:
- Substance use & misuse, 56(11), 1736-1739 (2021)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03616
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis use lead to longer psychiatric hospital stays?
Not in this study. Cannabis users with schizophrenia actually had shorter stays initially, but the difference disappeared after controlling for other factors.
Did cannabis users get hospitalized more often?
No. The number of psychiatric admissions did not differ between cannabis users and non-users with schizophrenia.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03616APA
Williams, Steven R; Agapoff, James R; Jalan, Devesh; Hishinuma, Earl S; Kida, Lauren E. (2021). Psychiatric Hospitalization and Length of Stay Differences in Cannabis Users and Non-Users with a Primary Discharge Diagnosis of Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder.. Substance use & misuse, 56(11), 1736-1739. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2021.1949615
MLA
Williams, Steven R, et al. "Psychiatric Hospitalization and Length of Stay Differences in Cannabis Users and Non-Users with a Primary Discharge Diagnosis of Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder.." Substance use & misuse, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2021.1949615
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Psychiatric Hospitalization and Length of Stay Differences i..." RTHC-03616. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/williams-2021-psychiatric-hospitalization-and-length
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.