A University of California San Diego School of Medicine study has found cannabis use among diabetics is becoming more common, and that has potential health implications.
Researchers analyzed nationally representative data from the 2021-2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), based on a sample limited to adults aged 18 years or older who reported a lifetime diagnosis of diabetes.
Excluding CBD and hemp products, prevalence of cannabis use increased from 7.7% in 2021 to 10.3% in 2022, a jump of 33.7%. 48.9% of the cannabis use group were under the age of 50. Among the general population, cannabis use is estimated at 13.9% and 15.9%.
The study also found among diabetic cannabis users, there was a higher prevalence of the use of other intoxicating substances.
The researchers warned cannabis use may complicate diabetes management, adversely affecting glycemic control and self-management behaviours.
“Our results emphasize the importance of comprehensive substance use screening in diabetes, with a specific focus on cannabis,” they state.
Among the limitations of the study aside from self-reporting is the fact the NSDUH doesn’t distinguish the type of diabetes or types of cannabinoids.
The study has been published in the journal Diabetes Care.
The American Diabetes Association doesn’t have a lot to say about cannabis use, except in relation to cannabidiol (CBD). The Association says CBD has no noticeable effect on blood glucose or insulin levels in people with type 2 diabetes. But it warns it can suppress immune responses, increase eye pressure (which may worsen glaucoma), and increase blood levels of certain medications.
The last point is an important one – a Washington State University indicated the use of medical cannabis with various prescription drugs may be accompanied by significant risk. An earlier study out of Penn State College of Medicine also warned cannabinoids may have impacts on the effects of some prescription drugs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and among the U.S. population overall, a rough estimate of people with diabetes in the USA in 2021 was 29.7 million people of all ages; approximately or 8.9% of the U.S. population. Added to that is an estimated 97.6 million adults aged 18 years or older with pre-diabetes.
