The Particulars: Research suggests that short-term marijuana exposure is associated with brochodilation. Long-term exposure has been shown to increase respiratory symptoms. The effects of marijuana smoking on long-term outcomes for patients who present to EDs with severe asthma exacerbations is not well known.
Data Breakdown: Researchers compared outcomes at 12 weeks following asthma-related ED visits for marijuana smokers with those of non-marijuana smokers. Marijuana smokers were more likely to experience one or more exacerbations than non-marijuana smokers (59% vs 29%). Marijuana smokers also had an average exacerbation rate of 3.98 per year, compared with 1.96 per year for non-marijuana smokers.
Take Home Pearl: Patients who smoke marijuana appear to experience more asthma exacerbations following asthma-related ED visits than those who do not smoke the illicit drug.
