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Cannabis consumption and risk of asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Malvi A 1 , Khatib MN 2 , Balaraman AK 3 , Roopashree R 4 , Kaur M 5 , Srivastava M 6 Show all authors , Barwal A 7 , Siva Prasad GV 8 , Rajput P 9 , Syed R 10 , Sharma G 11 , Kumar S 12 , Singh MP 13 , Bushi G 14 , Chilakam N 15 , Pandey S 16 , Brar M 17 , Mehta R 18 , Sah S 19 , Gaidhane AM 20 , Shabil M 21 , Daniel AS 22

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Guwahati, 781101, India
  • 2 Division of Evidence Synthesis, Global Consortium of Public Health and Research, Datta Meghe Istitute of Higher Education, Wardha, India
  • 3 Research and Enterprise, University of Cyberjaya, Persiaran Bestari, Cyber 11, Cyberjaya, Selangor, 63000, Malaysia
  • 4 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Sciences, JAIN (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
  • 5 Department of Allied Healthcare and Sciences, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303012, India
  • 6 Department of Endocrinology, NIMS University, Jaipur, India
  • 7 Chandigarh Pharmacy College, Chandigarh Group of College, Jhanjeri, Mohali, Punjab, 140307, India
  • 8 Department of Chemistry, Raghu Engineering College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, 531162, India
  • 9 School of Applied and Life Sciences, Division of Research and Innovation, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
  • 10 IES Institute of Pharmacy, IES University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462044, India
  • 11 New Delhi Institute of Management, Delhi, India
  • 12 Department of Microbiology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Clement Town Dehradun, 248002, India
  • 13 Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
  • 14 School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India
  • 15 Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Greater Noida, India
  • 16 Centre of Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, 140417, India
  • 17 Chitkara Centre for Research and Development, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh, 174103, India
  • 18 Clinical Microbiology, RDC, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad, Haryana, 121004, India
  • 19 Department of Paediatrics, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, 411018, India
  • 20 Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, and Global Health Academy, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education, Wardha, India
  • 21 University Center for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, India
  • 22 Global Health and Infectious Diseases Control Institute, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria. afukonyoshidoiku@tsuniversity.edu.ng
BMC Pulm Med, 2025 Jan 29;25(1):48.
PMID: 39881272 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-025-03516-0

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cannabis is the third most widely used psychoactive substance globally, and its consumption has been increasing, particularly with the growing trend of legalization for medicinal and recreational use. Recent studies have raised concerns about the potential impact of cannabis on respiratory health, specifically the risk of asthma, a significant public health concern. This systematic review aimed to consolidate research on the association between cannabis use and the risk of asthma.

METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, covering studies published up to September 30, 2024. We included peer-reviewed observational studies evaluating the link between cannabis consumption and the risk of asthma diagnosis. Data synthesis employed a random-effects meta-analysis to account for heterogeneity. R statistical software (version 4.4) was used for statistical analyses.

RESULTS: The search yielded 8 relevant studies after screening 1,887 records. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for the association between cannabis consumption and the risk of asthma diagnosis was 1.31, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19-1.44, indicating greater odds of having asthma compared to non-users. Moderate heterogeneity was observed (I² = 46%), and sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the findings.

CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis identifies a significant association between cannabis use and greater odds of having asthma. These findings emphasize the importance of raising awareness about the potential respiratory risks associated with cannabis use. Future research should prioritize identifying moderating factors, such as the frequency and mode of cannabis consumption, to enhance understanding of this association and provide a stronger evidence base for potential public health interventions.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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