Esophagus to Small Intestine
J Clin Gastroenterol. 2024;58(3):247–52
Rising inpatient utilization and costs of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome hospitalizations in Massachusetts after cannabis legalization
Goals: The authors described the demographics, inpatient utilization, and cost of services among patients hospitalized for putative cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) predating and postdating cannabis legalization in Massachusetts.
Background: As the recreational use of cannabis has been widely legalized nationally, the resulting shifts in clinical presentation, health care utilization, and estimated costs of CHS hospitalizations remain unclear in the postlegalization era. Study: The authors performed a retrospective cohort study among patients admitted to a large urban hospital between 2012 and 2021, before and after the date of cannabis legalization in Massachusetts (December 15, 2016). They examined the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients admitted for putative CHS, the utilization of hospital services, and estimated inpatient costs pre- and postlegalization.
Results: A significant increase in putative CHS hospitalizations pre- and post-cannabis legalization in Massachusetts was identified (0.1% vs. 0.02% of total admissions per time period, p < 0.05). Across 72 CHS hospitalizations, patient demographics were similar pre- and postlegalization. Hospital resource utilization increased postlegalization, with increased length of stay (3 days vs. 1 day, p < 0.005), and need for antiemetics (p < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression confirmed that postlegalization admissions were independently associated with increased length of stay (Β = 5.35, p < 0.05). The mean cost of hospitalization was significantly higher postlegalization ($18,714 vs. $7460, p < 0.0005), even after adjusting for medical inflation ($18,714 vs. $8520, p < 0.001) with intravenous fluid administration and endoscopy costs increased (p < 0.05). On multivariate linear regression, hospitalization for putative CHS during postlegalization predicted increased costs (Β = 10,131.25, p < 0.05).
Conclusions: In the postlegalization era of cannabis in Massachusetts, increased putative cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome hospitalizations were found, with a concomitant increased length of hospital stay and total cost per hospitalization. As cannabis use increases, the recognition and costs of its deleterious effects are necessary to incorporate into future clinical practice strategies and health policy.