Highlights
- •Of 2011,598 young cannabis users (59.6% male), 190,146 (9.5%) had comorbid depression.
- •Cannabis users with depression were more likely older, white and female.
- •Of 190,146 cannabis users with depression, 6.9% experienced arrhythmias (AF most common).
- •More rapidly rising trends in arrhythmia were seen among depressed cannabis users (4.9% in 2007 to 8.5% in 2014).
- •Young depressed cannabis users had ~40% higher odds of arrhythmia compared to non-depressed.
Abstract
Background
Cannabis (marijuana) use and depression are known to be strongly interconnected. However,
amid alarming rates of mental health problems in the United States young population,
the risk of arrhythmia among young cannabis users with comorbid depression has never
been studied.
Methods
In-hospital encounters of arrhythmia were identified among young cannabis users (18–39
years) with or without depression using the National Inpatient Sample (2007–2014)
databases and apposite ICD-9 codes. Baseline characteristics and trends in prevalence
of arrhythmia were evaluated among inpatient young cannabis users with or without
depression. A multivariable regression was performed after adjusting for baseline
demographics, comorbidities and parallel history of substance abuse.
Results
Of 2,011,598 young cannabis users (59.6% male) admitted from 2007–2014, 190,146 (9.5%)
of patients had comorbid depression, of which 6.9% of patients experienced arrhythmias
with atrial fibrillation being most common. Cannabis users with depression were more
likely older, white, females and frequently hospitalized in Midwest and rural hospitals.
We observed a steadily rising trend in prevalence of arrhythmia in both groups, but
a more rapid rise in cannabis users with depression (4.9% in 2007 to 8.5% in 2014 vs.
3.7% in 2007 to 5.7% in 2014). Correspondingly, young depressed cannabis users had
higher odds of arrhythmia compared to non-depressed even after controlling for demographics
and comorbidities (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.38–1.44, p<0.001).
Conclusion
Rampant recreational use of marijuana may increase the risk of arrhythmia by 40% in
young cannabis users with depression as compared to non-depressed.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 14, 2020
Accepted:
April 20,
2020
Received in revised form:
April 15,
2020
Received:
February 24,
2020
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
