Health

Dr. Joshua Rein provides insights on the use of cannabis for chronic kidney disease

Patients with several symptoms who have experience with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are approved indications for medical cannabis, said mountain nephrologists Joshua L Rein, DO, FASN. Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Transcript:

What do you know about the effects of cannabis on kidney function?

In particular, we don’t know much so far, compared to what we know about its effects on the brain, lungs, and heart, for example. However, studies on the effects of cannabis on renal function are primarily limited to some retrospective cohort studies. These studies include smoking recreational cannabis in healthy people or evaluate lifelong use in people with kidney disease. There are some differences between recreational and medicinal cannabis, such as routes of administration, doses, and frequency of use, all of which can have different effects on long-term results. These studies have not shown an association between cannabis use and the development or progression of kidney disease. Therefore, to answer this question, we conducted a survey of people at high risk for kidney disease and showed an association between chronic cannabis use and a more rapid decline in people’s estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). With kidney disease. The study was presented at Kidney Week 2018 and will soon be submitted for publication.

What are the known benefits of this treatment for kidney disease?

Many people use cannabis to treat a variety of illnesses. Among people with kidney disease, it is estimated that about one-quarter to one-half of patients experience chronic symptoms such as pain, nausea, loss of appetite, sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression. It has been. Some of these are approved indications for medical cannabis throughout the United States in various states. In addition, anxiety, depression, and insomnia are the most common mental states that people self-treat with cannabis. There is evidence to support the use of cannabis in a population of patients without kidney disease to treat some of these symptoms. Most of the evidence focuses on chronic pain, nausea, loss of appetite or loss of appetite. In addition, many patients with kidney disease and those undergoing dialysis experience significant chronic pain. It is estimated that up to 50% of patients can experience chronic pain. Currently, more than 60% of dialysis patients receive at least one opioid prescription each year, and about 20% of dialysis patients take chronic prescription opioids. However, we know that short-term and chronic use of opiates is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in people with kidney disease. Therefore, cannabis may play a potential therapeutic role in pain management in these patients. In fact, the National Academy has concluded that there is substantial evidence for the use of cannabis and cannabinoids to treat chronic pain, but some meta-analyses on the use of cannabis, including prescription cannabinoids. And systematic reviews have given some mixed results for the treatment of chronic pain.

What are some common misconceptions about the use of cannabis for kidney disease?

One thing I can think of is that cannabis consumers are no longer stereotyped lazy stoners. The prevalence of cannabis use in the United States and around the world has increased significantly over the last decade, especially among people over the age of 50 and even over the age of 65. This patient population is rich in chronic diseases, including chronic ones. Kidney disease. We know that adults with chronic medical conditions are more likely to consume cannabis than healthy people. However, the long-term health effects of cannabis use on some of these conditions are not really known. Therefore, it is much more important to understand the effects on kidney disease.

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Dr. Joshua Rein provides insights on the use of cannabis for chronic kidney disease