Author Interviews, Cannabis, Diabetes, JAMA / 06.11.2018
Cannabis May Raise Risk of Diabetic Ketoacidosis
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Viral Shah, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine & Pediatrics
Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, Adult Clinic
School of Medicine
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Cannabis use is increasing in Colorado and many patients with type 1 diabetes (which is an autoimmune form of diabetes that requires life insulin therapy) are using cannabis. Therefore, we surveyed adult patients with type 1 diabetes to study the association between cannabis use and glycemic control and diabetes acute complications (such as diabetic ketoacidosis) in adults with type 1 diabetes.
Main findings of the study: The risk for diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious condition where body produces high levels of acids called ketones in patients with diabetes) was two times higher among adults with type 1 diabetes who reported using cannabis in the past 12 months compared to adults with type 1 diabetes who reported not using cannabis. (more…)