Impact of Cannabis Use on Diabetes Risk
Recent analysis of real-world data involving over 4 million adults indicates that cannabis use may significantly increase the risk of developing diabetes. This research will be presented at the upcoming Annual Meeting of The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Vienna, Austria, from September 15 to 19.
Growing Cannabis Use and Unclear Metabolic Effects
Globally, cannabis usage has risen, with an estimated 219 million individuals (4.3% of the global adult population) reported as users in 2021. Despite this increase, the long-term metabolic effects of cannabis remain largely unexplored. While some studies point to potential anti-inflammatory benefits and weight management, other research raises concerns regarding glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. The extent of the risk associated with diabetes development has been ambiguous.
Research Methodology
To enhance the existing evidence, Dr. Ibrahim Kamel from Boston Medical Center, Massachusetts, and colleagues analyzed electronic health records from 54 healthcare organizations within the TriNetX Research Network, which includes centers from across the USA and Europe. The study focused on 96,795 outpatients aged between 18 and 50 years (52.5% female) with cannabis-related diagnoses—spanning from occasional use to dependence, including cases of intoxication and withdrawal—recorded between 2010 and 2018.
Participants were carefully matched with 4,160,998 healthy individuals without any history of substance use or major chronic conditions, based on age, sex, and underlying illnesses at the study’s outset. The cohort was monitored over a period of five years.
Findings and Implications
After adjusting for factors including HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, uncontrolled high blood pressure, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and other lifestyle risk factors like cocaine and alcohol use, researchers found a significantly higher incidence of diabetes among cannabis users. Specifically, new cases of diabetes were recorded at 2.2% (1,937 cases) within the cannabis group, compared to just 0.6% (518 cases) in the healthy cohort. Statistical analysis indicated that cannabis users were nearly four times more likely to develop diabetes compared to non-users.
While the authors acknowledge that further research is essential for fully elucidating the relationship between cannabis use and diabetes, it is hypothesized that insulin resistance and unhealthy dietary behaviors may play a role. These findings underscore the necessity for enhanced metabolic monitoring practices and public health messaging regarding cannabis use.
Expert Commentary
“As cannabis becomes more widely available and accepted within society, it is crucial to comprehend its potential health risks,” stated lead author Dr. Kamel. “Our findings emphasize the importance of integrating diabetes risk awareness into substance use disorder treatment and counseling. Healthcare professionals should routinely discuss cannabis use with patients to ensure they are informed about their overall diabetes risk and the potential need for metabolic monitoring.”
Future Research Directions
The authors stress the need for further exploration into the long-term endocrine effects of cannabis use, particularly whether diabetes risks are confined to inhaled products or extend to other forms such as edibles.
Limitations of the Study
Despite the significant insights provided by this retrospective study, it cannot conclusively establish a cause-and-effect relationship between cannabis use and diabetes. The researchers acknowledge that other unmeasured factors may have influenced the findings, despite efforts to minimize confounding variables through propensity score matching. Limitations also arise from the lack of detailed data on cannabis consumption and the potential for misclassification. Inherent biases may result from inconsistent patient reporting within electronic medical records, as well as the reliance on participants to accurately disclose their cannabis use, particularly in regions where the substance is illegal.
Key Health Takeaway
Cannabis use has been associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes, highlighting the importance of healthcare professionals discussing cannabis consumption with patients to ensure they are aware of their diabetes risk and potential need for metabolic monitoring.
