Dataset Information

Cannabis: An Emerging Treatment for Common Symptoms in Older Adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background/objectives

Use of cannabis is increasing in a variety of populations in the United States; however, few investigations about how and for what reasons cannabis is used in older populations exist.

Design

Anonymous survey.

Setting

Geriatrics clinic.

Participants

A total of 568 adults 65 years and older.

Intervention

Not applicable.

Measurements

Survey assessing characteristics of cannabis use.

Results

Approximately 15% (N = 83) of survey responders reported using cannabis within the past 3 years. Half (53%) reported using cannabis regularly on a daily or weekly basis, and reported using cannabidiol-only products (46%). The majority (78%) used cannabis for medical purposes only, with the most common targeted conditions/symptoms being pain/arthritis (73%), sleep disturbance (29%), anxiety (24%), and depression (17%). Just over three-quarters reported cannabis "somewhat" or "extremely" helpful in managing one of these conditions, with few adverse effects. Just over half obtained cannabis via a dispensary, and lotions (35%), tinctures (35%), and smoking (30%) were the most common administration forms. Most indicated family members (94%) knew about their cannabis use, about half reported their friends knew, and 41% reported their healthcare provider knowing. Sixty-one percent used cannabis for the first time as older adults (aged ≥61 years), and these users overall engaged in less risky use patterns (e.g., more likely to use for medical purposes, less likely to consume via smoking).

Conclusion

Most older adults in the sample initiated cannabis use after the age of 60 years and used it primarily for medical purposes to treat pain, sleep disturbance, anxiety, and/or depression. Cannabis use by older adults is likely to increase due to medical need, favorable legalization, and attitudes.

SUBMITTER: Yang KH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8962510 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Cannabis: An Emerging Treatment for Common Symptoms in Older Adults.

Yang Kevin H KH Kaufmann Christopher N CN Nafsu Reva R Lifset Ella T ET Nguyen Khai K Sexton Michelle M Han Benjamin H BH Kim Arum A Moore Alison A AA

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 20201007 1

<h4>Background/objectives</h4>Use of cannabis is increasing in a variety of populations in the United States; however, few investigations about how and for what reasons cannabis is used in older populations exist.<h4>Design</h4>Anonymous survey.<h4>Setting</h4>Geriatrics clinic.<h4>Participants</h4>A total of 568 adults 65 years and older.<h4>Intervention</h4>Not applicable.<h4>Measurements</h4>Survey assessing characteristics of cannabis use.<h4>Results</h4>Approximately 15% (N = 83) of survey ...[more]

PMID: 33026117

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Project description:ImportanceEpidemiological studies have found that cannabis increases the risk of a motor vehicle collision. Cannabis use is increasing in older adults, but laboratory studies of the association between cannabis and driving in people aged older than 65 years are lacking.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between cannabis, simulated driving, and concurrent blood tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels in older adults.Design, setting, and participantsUsing an ecologically valid counterbalanced design, in this cohort study, regular cannabis users operated a driving simulator before, 30 minutes after, and 180 minutes after smoking their preferred legal cannabis or after resting. This study was conducted in Toronto, Canada, between March and November 2022 with no follow-up period. Data were analyzed from December 2022 to February 2023.ExposuresMost participants chose THC-dominant cannabis with a mean (SD) content of 18.74% (6.12%) THC and 1.46% (3.37%) cannabidiol (CBD).Main outcomes and measuresThe primary end point was SD of lateral position (SDLP, or weaving). Secondary outcomes were mean speed (MS), maximum speed, SD of speed, and reaction time. Driving was assessed under both single-task and dual-task (distracted) conditions. Blood THC and metabolites of THC and CBD were also measured at the time of the drives.ResultsA total of 31 participants (21 male [68%]; 29 White [94%], 1 Latin American [3%], and 1 mixed race [3%]; mean [SD] age, 68.7 [3.5] years), completed all study procedures. SDLP was increased and MS was decreased at 30 but not 180 minutes after smoking cannabis compared with the control condition in both the single-task (SDLP effect size [ES], 0.30; b = 1.65; 95% CI, 0.37 to 2.93; MS ES, -0.58; b = -2.46; 95% CI, -3.56 to -1.36) and dual-task (SDLP ES, 0.27; b = 1.75; 95% CI, 0.21 to 3.28; MS ES, -0.47; b = -3.15; 95% CI, -5.05 to -1.24) conditions. Blood THC levels were significantly increased at 30 minutes but not 180 minutes. Blood THC was not correlated with SDLP or MS at 30 minutes, and SDLP was not correlated with MS. Subjective ratings remained elevated for 5 hours and participants reported that they were less willing to drive at 3 hours after smoking.Conclusions and relevanceIn this cohort study, the findings suggested that older drivers should exercise caution after smoking cannabis.

Dataset Information

Cannabis: An Emerging Treatment for Common Symptoms in Older Adults.

Background/objectives

Design

Setting

Participants

Intervention

Measurements

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Cannabis: An Emerging Treatment for Common Symptoms in Older Adults.

Similar Datasets

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