Relationship Between Marijuana Use and Overactive Bladder (OAB): A Cross-Sectional Research of NHANES 2005 to 2018

Current research is starting to focus on the medical value of marijuana and the possible health problems it can cause. Previous studies have shown that marijuana can relieve lower urinary tract symptoms, which can pose a significant public health burden. In this study, we assessed the association between regular marijuana use and overactive bladder as part of low urinary tract symptoms.

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2018 were obtained for analysis. The Overactive Bladder Symptom Score scale was used to define the presence of overactive bladder for each participant. Multivariate logistic regression and ordinal logistic regression were used to analyze the association of marijuana use with the onset and severity of overactive bladder, respectively.

We found that approximately 24% of the US population reported regular marijuana use. Compared with nonregular users, regular marijuana users were younger, thinner, more likely to be male, smokers, low-income, less educated, unmarried, and non-Hispanic White/Black. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that marijuana exposure may be an independent risk factor for overactive bladder (odds ratio 1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-1.66). Ordinal logistic regression results showed that marijuana exposure was associated with the severity of overactive bladder (odds ratio 1.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-1.60). Moreover, all frequencies of regular use showed almost consistent effects on the onset and severity of overactive bladder.

Regular marijuana use may increase the risk of overactive bladder. Our data do not support the evidence for the use of cannabinoids in the medical treatment of patients with overactive bladder, especially given the thorny health problems caused by marijuana.