Association between cannabis and psychiatric hospitalization.
Chris D Schubart, Marco P Boks, E J Breetvelt, Willemijn A Van Gastel, R H H Groenwold, R A Ophoff, Iris E C Sommer, René S. Kahn
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica May 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2010.01640.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 17,698 |
| Population | Individuals with a mean age of 22 years (SD: 4.2) who completed a web-based questionnaire |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | Cannabis use showed a dose-response association with past psychiatric hospitalization: adjusted odds ratios rose from 1.6 (95% CI 1.1-2.3) in incidental users to 6.2 (95% CI 4.3-8.9) in heavy users spending over €25 per week. Cannabis use before age 12 was associated with 4.8 times higher odds (95% CI 2.9-7.8) of past psychiatric hospitalization. The authors conclude that early and heavy cannabis use are each independently associated with poor mental health. |
Abstract
To investigate the relationship between cannabis use and mental health. A cross-sectional analysis in a sample of 17 698 individuals with a mean age of 22 years (SD: 4.2). Participants provided information on the amount and initial age of cannabis use and history of psychiatric hospitalizations through a web-based questionnaire. To quantify Δ(9) -tetrahydrocannabinol exposure, we operationalized cannabis use as the amount of money spent on cannabis per week over the last month. The odds ratio of having a history of psychiatric hospitalizations was the primary outcome measure. We found a dose-response relationship between the amount of cannabis use and the odds for psychiatric hospitalization. Adjusted odds ratios for hospitalization increased with the amount of cannabis consumed from 1.6 (95% CI: 1.1-2.3) in incidental users to 6.2 (95% CI: 4.3-8.9) in heavy users (>€25/week). Our data suggested that concomitant drug use was an intermediate factor. Exposure to cannabis before the age of 12 years was found to carry a 4.8 (95% CI: 2.9-7.8) times increased odds for past psychiatric hospitalizations. We conclude that early and heavy uses of cannabis are each and independently associated with poor mental health in its users.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on cannabis, most cited first.
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