A study examined sex-stratified associations of cumulative lifetime cannabis use with all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer mortality in the UK Biobank population. The study published in JAMA Network found a positive association between cardiovascular disease mortality and heavy lifetime cannabis use among female study participants. Longitudinal studies are needed in general populations to investigate the potential effects of cannabis on mortality.
The researchers analyzed data from the mortality in the United Kingdom Biobank study. They also used data regarding the causes of death recorded by the National Health Service Information Centre. The cohort study included 121,895 participants. The cohort included 54.51% females with a mean age of 55.15 years and 45.49% males with a mean age of 56.46%. The participants completed a questionnaire about their frequency and patterns of cannabis consumption.
The findings revealed that the risk for CVD mortality for women was significantly higher among heavy lifetime cannabis users compared with never users. The researchers did not observe any association among males, and they detected no association among females or males for all-cause and cancer mortality.
The study found that all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality were primary outcomes. The study indicated that 2,375 total deaths occurred over 11.8 years of follow-up. This total included 1,411 deaths from CVD and 440 from cancer.
The research team also examined the effects of tobacco use and cannabis use. The study found that female current tobacco users' heavy cannabis use was associated with all-cause mortality. At the same time, male current tobacco users who were also heavy cannabis users showed an association with cancer mortality.
The study highlights the need for more longitudinal studies of general populations to explore the potential effects of cannabis on mortality.
Sources: Eureka News Alert, JAMA Network
