Delayed cannabinoid hyperemesis diagnosis cost an average of $77,000 per patient
Seventeen patients eventually diagnosed with cannabinoid hyperemesis averaged 17.9 emergency department visits before diagnosis, with combined ED and imaging costs averaging $76,921 per patient.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Patients averaged 17.9 ED visits before cannabinoid hyperemesis was diagnosed. Total costs for combined ED visits and radiological evaluations averaged $76,920.92 per patient. The diagnosis can be made primarily through thorough history and physical examination, but requires clinician awareness of the syndrome.
Key Numbers
17 patients. 3 medical centers. 2010-2015. Average 17.9 ED visits before diagnosis. Average cost: $76,920.92 per patient.
How They Did This
Retrospective observational study of 17 patients diagnosed with cannabinoid hyperemesis at three US medical centers (two academic, one community) from 2010 to 2015.
Why This Research Matters
Cannabinoid hyperemesis is becoming more common with increased cannabis use, and the enormous cost of delayed diagnosis represents both wasted healthcare resources and unnecessary patient suffering.
The Bigger Picture
As cannabis use increases, clinician awareness of cannabinoid hyperemesis could save significant healthcare costs and spare patients years of unnecessary testing.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Very small sample (17 patients). Three centers in one country. Costs may vary by region. Retrospective design. No standardized diagnostic criteria at the time.
Questions This Raises
- ?How many undiagnosed cannabinoid hyperemesis patients are currently cycling through emergency departments?
- ?Would universal cannabis use screening in EDs improve recognition?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 17.9 ER visits and $76,921 before diagnosis
- Evidence Grade:
- Very small retrospective case series, but provides compelling cost data highlighting a diagnostic gap.
- Study Age:
- 2019 study using 2010-2015 data.
- Original Title:
- Emergency Department and Radiological Cost of Delayed Diagnosis of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis.
- Published In:
- Journal of addiction, 2019, 1307345 (2019)
- Authors:
- Zimmer, David I, McCauley, Ross, Konanki, Varun, Dynako, Joseph, Zackariya, Nuha, Shariff, Faadil, Miller, Joseph, Binz, Sophia, Walsh, Mark
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02364
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to diagnose cannabinoid hyperemesis?
In this study, patients averaged 17.9 emergency department visits before cannabinoid hyperemesis was diagnosed, at an average cost of nearly $77,000 per patient in ED and imaging charges.
How is cannabinoid hyperemesis diagnosed?
The diagnosis can be made primarily through a thorough patient history and physical exam, but many clinicians lack awareness of the syndrome, leading to extensive and expensive diagnostic workups.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02364APA
Zimmer, David I; McCauley, Ross; Konanki, Varun; Dynako, Joseph; Zackariya, Nuha; Shariff, Faadil; Miller, Joseph; Binz, Sophia; Walsh, Mark. (2019). Emergency Department and Radiological Cost of Delayed Diagnosis of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis.. Journal of addiction, 2019, 1307345. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/1307345
MLA
Zimmer, David I, et al. "Emergency Department and Radiological Cost of Delayed Diagnosis of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis.." Journal of addiction, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/1307345
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Emergency Department and Radiological Cost of Delayed Diagno..." RTHC-02364. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/zimmer-2019-emergency-department-and-radiological
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.