Cannabis Use Is Associated with Prevalent Angina in Individuals with Diabetes

Introduction: Observational studies have reported associations between cannabis use and coronary heart disease. Since diabetes is a coronary heart disease equivalent, we hypothesized that cannabis use would be associated with prevalent angina among individuals with diabetes. Methods: This analysis included 1314 participants with diabetes (age 47.4±9.0 years, 49.5% male, 28.3% Caucasians) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey years 2011-2018. Cannabis use was self-reported. Prevalent angina was defined by self-reported physician diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association between prevalent angina and cannabis use. Results: Approximately 3.3% (n=43) of participants had prevalent angina and 45.7% (n=601) were ever cannabis users. After adjustment, ever cannabis users did not have significantly increased odds of prevalent angina compared with never users (odds ratio: 3.29, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.88-12.22, p=0.08). However, those who had used cannabis at least once per month for at least 1 year had greater than fivefold increased odds of prevalent angina (odds ratio: 5.73, 95% CI: 1.26-26.04, p=0.03). Current cannabis users had greater than fivefold increased odds of prevalent angina (odds ratio: 5.35, 95% CI: 1.26-22.70, p=0.03), with a dose-response increase based on level of use. Effect modification was present among those with history of cocaine use (interaction p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Among individuals with diabetes, cannabis use is associated with prevalent angina with apparent dose response. This finding supports emerging evidence that cannabis may have negative cardiovascular (CV) health effects, and an individualized CV risk assessment should be pursued among those with diabetes.