Inpatient outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis in hospitalized patients using cannabis: data from the National Inpatient Sample. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent) 2025;38(3):259-264
Date
04/28/2025Pubmed ID
40291104Pubmed Central ID
PMC12026033DOI
10.1080/08998280.2025.2473863Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105003392340 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 2 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: Despite advancements in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment, effective pain management remains challenging, with many patients also experiencing insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Cannabis, with its analgesic properties, offers a promising nonopioid alternative. This study evaluated outcomes in hospitalized RA patients using cannabis through the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database.
METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed NIS data (2016-2021) using ICD-10 codes to identify RA patients. Demographic and clinical characteristics and inpatient outcomes were compared between cannabis users and nonusers.
RESULTS: RA patients using cannabis (n = 42,415) were younger (mean age 51.8 vs 67.8 years), less likely to be female (60.65% vs 73.71%), and more likely to be African American (24.02% vs 12.86%) and Native American (2.25% vs 0.86%). Cannabis use was associated with lower mortality (0.98% vs 2.71%) and hospital charges ($57,773 vs $63,681). After adjusting for age, gender, race, and comorbidities, cannabis use was linked to decreased mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 0.50), depression (OR: 0.47), chronic pain (OR: 0.45), and anxiety (OR: 0.55). Conversely, cannabis use increased the risk of opioid use (OR: 1.10), nicotine dependence (OR: 1.35), and alcohol use (OR: 1.35).
CONCLUSION: RA patients using cannabis had lower mortality, depression, chronic pain, and anxiety, but higher risks of opioid, nicotine, and alcohol use. Further research is needed on the long-term effects of cannabis in RA management.
Author List
Shrestha K, Subedi P, Regmi A, Ghimire M, Poudel S, Hashim M, Hasan M, Tagoe CAuthors
Karun Shrestha MBBS Assistant Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinPrakriti Subedi MBBS Assistant Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
