Abstract TP228: Association of Dependent Cannabis Use in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease With Stroke Hospitalizations and Subsequent Mortality: A Nationwide Analysis

Introduction: Chronic liver disease (CLD) predisposes to systemic manifestations like thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy that can trigger stroke onset. Cannabis, due to its anti-inflammatory effects, could have a potential benefit for CLD patients. We aimed to study the impact of cannabis use disorder (CUD) or dependent use on stroke risk in CLD, considering recent American and Canadian surveys reporting 85% overlap between medicinal and recreational use.

Methods: The National Inpatient Sample, 2019, was queried to identify adult stroke hospitalizations in patients with CLD. Two cohorts were created based on the presence of CUD. The primary outcomes were the rates and odds of stroke or acute ischemic stroke (AIS), with subsequent mortality in CUD vs. non-CUD cohorts. Secondary outcomes were resource utilization. Multivariable regression was controlled for patient-hospital-level factors and relevant comorbidities.

Results: The CUD+ cohort had a lower rate of both overall stroke hospitalization (1.2% vs. 2.0%) and AIS hospitalization (0.8% vs. 1.2%) as compared to the CUD- cohort (p<0.001). The median age of admissions for stroke and CLD with CUD was 58 years, whereas it was 64 years in the non-CUD cohort. Traditional CVD risk burden was lower, but uncomplicated hypertension, PVD, prior MI, and drug abuse were more prevalent in the CUD+ cohort. Patients with CLD and CUD showed lower odds of any stroke (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.51-0.73; p <0.001) and AIS (OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.55-0.85; p = 0.001) vs. the CUD- cohort. When adjusted for confounders, the odds of overall stroke risk were still lower (OR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.66-0.98; p = 0.029) among the CUD+ cohort. However, adjusted odds for AIS showed no statistical significance (OR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.74-1.19; p = 0.594). The all-cause mortality in the CUD+ cohort was lower compared to the CUD- cohort: 11.0% vs. 14.4%, p= 0.017, with shorter hospital stays and frequent routine discharges.

Conclusion: This nationwide study revealed significantly reduced odds [20%] of stroke hospitalization in adults with CLD using cannabis on a regular, habitual basis. However, more prospective controlled studies are required to evaluate its impact on cardio-cerebrovascular risk with clarity on dose, duration, and mode of CUD in the long term.