Negative respiratory health, cannabinoids associated with death in the elderly with COPD, findings

Cannabinoids, a prescription drug containing synthetic chemicals in marijuana, can lead to poor respiratory health and even death in the elderly with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a new study from Toronto-Canada. There is a possibility.

A study conducted by researchers at St. Michael’s Hospital in Unity Health Toronto reported that cannabinoid use was associated with a 64% increase in elderly COPD mortality.

The study found that cannabinoids can adversely affect respiratory health events in COPD patients, such as hospitalization and death, despite taking the drug orally.

The researchers also said they observed particularly poor health outcomes among COPD patients who were using high-dose cannabinoids.

According to researchers, COPD is a progressive lung disease that causes dyspnea and chronic productive cough, sputum, and is associated with a variety of non-respiratory problems such as chronic muscle aches and insomnia. It may be.

Cannabinoids are often prescribed as an alternative to opioids that help treat some symptoms of COPD, such as pain, sleep disorders, and shortness of breath.

of Survey results have been released Wednesday of the journal Thorax.

Dr. Nicholas Bozoris, a pulmonologist at St. Michael and the lead author of the study, said the findings have “significant clinical consequences” as more doctors prescribe cannabinoids to patients with COPD. Said.

“Cannabinoid drugs are being used more and more by older people with COPD, so it’s important for patients and physicians to have a clear understanding of the side effect profiles of these drugs,” Vozoris said in a press release.

Elderly people with COPD who use prescribed cannabinoids may be more susceptible to adverse respiratory effects due to the less robust immune system, Vozoris said.

“Elderly people with COPD are a group that is more susceptible to cannabinoid-related respiratory side effects, because older people cannot break down the drug efficiently, and the effects of the drug can remain in the body for longer. , COPD patients already have respiratory problems and disorders. “

This study examined the health data of more than 4,000 Ontario people aged 66 and over with COPD from 2006 to 2016. The data made available by the independent non-profit research institute ICES was divided into two groups. New cannabinoid users and elderly people with COPD who did not use cannabinoids.

The data showed that COPD patients who were using high doses of cannabinoids were in particularly poor health.

Compared to non-users, researchers found that newer, higher-dose cannabinoid users had a 178% relative increase in hospitalization for COPD or pneumonia and a 231% relative increase in mortality. I found.

The researchers also conducted a sub-analysis to investigate how cannabinoids affected the respiratory outcomes of older people with COPD compared to opioids. The research team found no evidence to support that cannabinoids were a safer choice than opioids.

The use of oral synthetic cannabinoids has been associated with an increased adverse health effect of COPD in the elderly, but this study acknowledges the need for further research.

Vozoris explained that this data does not mean that cannabinoid drugs should not be used in older people with COPD, but that their effects should be considered before prescribing by a doctor.

“Our findings need to be incorporated into prescribing decisions by patients and physicians. Our results show that low doses of cannabinoids are prioritized over high doses when these drugs actually need to be used. It also emphasizes the importance of doing, “Vozoris said in the release.