Cannabis use increases among patients with inflammatory bowel disease

SAN DIEGO — The number of patients with inflammatory bowel disease who are actively using cannabis is rising, according to study results presented at Digestive Disease Week.

Lillian Du, MD, of the University of Toronto and Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto recently surveyed cannabis use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and compared the results with a 2006 study that, in part, had the same objectives as the newer survey.

The newer poll had 131 patients with Crohn’s disease and 75 patients with ulcerative colitis. Du reported that 59.5% of the patients with CD and 73.3% of patients with ulcerative colitis indicated lifetime cannabis use and that 32.1% of patients with CD and 34.7% of patients with ulcerative colitis reported cannabis use within the last 28 days.

“When we compare our results to those reported in 2006, the prevalence of active cannabis use among our Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patients has certainly increased,” Du said.

The number of patients with inflammatory bowel disease who are actively using cannabis is rising, according to study results presented at Digestive Disease Week.

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She added that efficacy data for cannabis use are inconsistent.

For more Healio coverage of Du’s presentation, please click here. – by Janel Miller and Ryan McDonald

Reference: Du L, et al. Abstract 108. Presented at: Digestive Disease Week; May 18-21, 2019; San Diego.

Disclosure: Du reports no relevant financial disclosures.