Cannabis Use is Associated With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Pediatric Patients-A Large Claims Database Study

To investigate whether cannabis use disorder (CUD) is associated with the diagnosis of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in pediatric patients.

This retrospective cohort study queried the TriNetX Research Network for male and female patients under 18 years of age with or without CUD. Propensity score matching was conducted for demographic factors and comorbidities associated with LUTS. The primary outcomes were new diagnoses of all-cause LUTS, pelvic pain, overactive bladder, dysuria, or urinary tract infection (UTI) among patients with CUD compared to controls.

We identified 4,859,819 male (12,099 CUD, 4,847,720 control) and 4,274,461 female (12,349 CUD, 4,262,112 control) patients for inclusion. After propensity score matching, there were 11,840 male and 11,810 female patients in each arm with median ages of 15.6 and 15.5 years, respectively. At 5-year follow-up, significant increases in new diagnoses of pelvic pain (odds ratios [OR] 2.3 [95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.8-2.9], P <.01), overactive bladder (OR 1.6 [95% CI 1.9-2.7], P <.01), dysuria (OR 1.2 [95% CI 1.1-1.5], P = .01), and UTI (OR 1.8 [95% CI 1.5-2.1], P <.01) were observed among female CUD patients compared to controls. At 5-year follow-up, significant increases in new diagnoses of pelvic pain (OR 3.8 [95% CI 2.4-5.9], P <.01), dysuria (OR 1.4 [95% CI 1.1-1.8], P = .02), and UTI (OR 1.7 [95% CI 1.2-2.6], P <.01) were observed in male CUD patients compared to controls.

We observed significant increases in first-time LUTS diagnoses in pediatric patients with CUD compared to matched controls. Further research into cannabinoids' impact on urinary tract and pelvic floor function is warranted.