Cannabinoid Use Among Liver Transplant Recipients

Area of Science:

• Transplant Hepatology
• Pharmacology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Cannabinoid use is increasing, prompting research into its effects on transplant patients.
• Understanding marijuana (MJ) and cannabidiol (CBD) use in liver transplant recipients is crucial for patient care.
• Limited data exists on the prevalence, habits, and predictors of cannabinoid use post-liver transplant.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence, usage patterns, and associated factors of marijuana (MJ) and cannabidiol (CBD) use in liver transplant recipients.
• To identify predictors of MJ use in this patient population.
• To inform clinical practice regarding cannabinoid use in liver transplant recipients.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory survey was administered to liver transplant recipients at the University of Colorado Hospital.
• Data collection involved informed consent postcards and online surveys via REDCap.
• Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics software.

Main Results:

• Of 538 respondents, 23.8% reported current MJ use and 21.0% reported current CBD use.
• Common MJ use methods included smoking (72.4%) and ingestion (55.3%), primarily for recreation, anxiety, and pain.
• CBD was typically used in topical forms (58.9%) for pain (84.9%) and anxiety (31.1%).
• Predictors of MJ use included younger age, HCV cirrhosis, alcohol-related cirrhosis, and current tobacco use, while diabetes mellitus was a negative predictor.

Conclusions:

• Cannabinoid use is common among liver transplant recipients.
• MJ use is associated with younger age, specific liver disease etiologies (HCV, alcohol), and tobacco use.
• Healthcare providers should discuss cannabinoid use with patients and address underlying reasons like anxiety and pain, as well as explore potential impacts on transplant outcomes.