Heavy cannabis use is associated with low bone mineral density and an increased risk of fractures

Sophocleous, Antonia, Robertson, Roy, Ferreira, Nuno B., McKenzie, James, Fraser, William D. and Ralston, Stuart H. (2017) Heavy cannabis use is associated with low bone mineral density and an increased risk of fractures. American Journal of Medicine, 130 (2). pp. 214-221. ISSN 0002-9343

Preview

PDF (Accepted manuscript) - Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (406kB) | Preview

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate possible associations between recreational cannabis use and bone health in humans.  Methods: Cross-sectional study of individuals recruited from primary care in the UK between 2011 and 2014. Cases were regular smokers of cannabis divided into moderate (n=56) and heavy user (n=144) subgroups depending on whether they reported fewer or more than 5000 cannabis smoking episodes during their lifetime. Controls comprised 114 cigarette smokers.  Results: Heavy cannabis users had lower total hip bone mineral density (mean ± SD Z-score: -0.20±0.9 vs. +0.2±0.9, p<0.0005), lower spine bone mineral density (-0.5±1.2 vs. 0.0±1.2, p<0.0005) and lower BMI (26.5±6.0 vs 29.0±7.0, p=0.01) than controls. Fracture rate was also increased in heavy users (rate ratio=2.17, 95% confidence interval 1.59 to 2.95; p<0.001). When compared with controls, CTX serum concentrations were raised in heavy cannabis users (0.3±0.1 vs. 0.2±0.1 pg/ml, p=0.045) as were P1NP concentrations (47.1±19.2 vs. 41.2±17.8 pg/ml, p=0.01). Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were reduced in heavy users compared with controls (25.3±16.8 vs. 36.9±26.7 nmol/l, p=0.002). Multiple regression analysis revealed that heavy cannabis use was an independent predictor of spine bone mineral density accounting for 5.4% of the variance (p=0.035) and total hip bone mineral density accounting for 5.8% of the variance (p=0.001) but mediation analysis suggested that the effect on spine bone mineral density was indirect and mediated through low BMI.  Conclusion: Heavy cannabis use is associated with low bone mineral density, low BMI, high bone turnover and an increased risk of fracture. Heavy cannabis use negatively impacts on bone health both directly and indirectly through an effect on BMI.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	cannabis,cannabinoids,bone mineral density,fracture
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Musculoskeletal Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Metabolic Health
Related URLs:	http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	24 Sep 2016 00:28
Last Modified:	19 Oct 2023 01:45
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/60057
DOI:	10.1016/j.amjmed.2016.07.034

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item