According to new research, marijuana users undergoing gastric endoscopy procedures generally require more sedation than non-cannabis users.

Patients who use cannabis required higher levels of sedation during gastric endoscopies than non-users, according to research to be presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2022.

The researchers have noted that as marijuana is legalized in more places and usage rises, clinicians should be aware of patients’ habits and prepare themselves and their patients for increased sedation and accompanying risks.

“Patients didn’t have increased awareness or discomfort during procedures, but they did require more drugs,” said Yasmin Nasser, MD, Ph.D., lead researcher on the study and assistant professor at Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases Cumming School of Medicine University of Calgary.

To come to their conclusion, researchers conducted a prospective cohort study of 419 adult outpatients undergoing endoscopic procedures at three Canadian centers.

Procedures were conducted under conscious sedation, which leaves the patient relaxed and comfortable but partially conscious during the procedure.

As part of the study, each patient completed two questionnaires, one before the procedure about their cannabis use and another afterwards indicating their awareness and comfort level during the procedure.

The questionnaires were analyzed along with details about the use of the sedatives midazolam, fentanyl and diphenhydramine during the procedure.

Procedures were conducted under conscious sedation, which leaves the patient relaxed and comfortable but partially conscious during the procedure. Image is in the public domain.

Cannabis use was associated with increased odds of requiring higher total sedation.


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