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Exploring the Relationship Between Cannabis Use and COVID-19 Outcomes
Chapman Wei1, Nawal Mustafa1, Radu Grovu1
1Department of Medicine, Northwell Health, New York, New York, USA.
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
|August 28, 2024
Summary
This study found that individuals using cannabis experienced better outcomes and lower mortality rates when hospitalized with COVID-19. These findings suggest potential immunomodulatory benefits of cannabis in severe COVID-19 cases.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cannabis use is rising globally, but its health impacts, particularly on COVID-19, are not fully understood.
- Existing research indicates cannabis possesses immunomodulatory properties, yet its specific effect on severe COVID-19 outcomes remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of chronic cannabis consumption on the severity of COVID-19 infections.
- To compare outcomes between COVID-19 patients with and without a history of cannabis use.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the National Inpatient Sample Database to identify COVID-19 patients, comparing cannabis users against non-users.
- Employed 1:1 propensity matching to control for demographic and comorbidity variations between groups.
- Defined severe COVID-19 as a composite endpoint including acute respiratory failure, intubation, ARDS, or severe sepsis with multiorgan failure.
Main Results:
- Cannabis users (2,603 of 322,214) were younger and had higher rates of tobacco use.
- Initial analysis revealed lower rates of severe COVID-19, intubation, ARDS, acute respiratory failure, severe sepsis, mortality, and shorter hospital stays in cannabis users.
- Post-matching analysis confirmed cannabis use was associated with significantly improved outcomes and reduced mortality.
Conclusions:
- Cannabis users demonstrated superior outcomes and lower mortality rates compared to non-users with COVID-19.
- The observed beneficial effects may stem from the immunomodulatory properties of cannabis.
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