Psychotic disorder and cannabis use: Canadian hospitalization trends, 2006-2015.
INTRODUCTION
Given the recent and impending changes to the legal status of nonmedical cannabis use in Canada, understanding the effects of cannabis use on the health care system is important for evaluating the impact of policy change. The aim of this study was to examine pre-legalization trends in hospitalizations for mental and behavioural disorders due to the use of cannabis, according to demographics factors and clinical conditions.


METHODS
We assessed the total number of inpatient hospitalizations for psychiatric conditions with a primary diagnosis of a mental or behavioural disorder due to cannabis use (ICD-10-CA code F12) from the Hospital Mental Health Database for ten years spanning 2006 to 2015, inclusive. We included hospitalizations from all provinces and territories except Quebec. Rates (per 100 000 persons) and relative proportions of hospitalizations by clinical condition, age group, sex and year are reported.


RESULTS
Between 2006 and 2015, the rate of cannabis-related hospitalizations in Canada doubled. Of special note, however, is that hospitalizations during this time period for those with the clinical condition code "mental and behavioural disorders due to use of cannabinoids, psychotic disorder" (F12.5) tripled, accounting for almost half (48%) of all cannabis-related hospitalizations in 2015.


CONCLUSION
Further research is required to investigate the reasons for the increase in hospitalizations for cannabis-related psychotic disorder. The introduction of high-potency cannabinoid products and synthetic cannabinoids into the illicit market are considered as possible factors.
['Maloney-Hall|Bridget|B|', 'Wallingford|Sarah C|SC|', 'Konefal|Sarah|S|', 'Young|Matthew M|MM|']
D000328:Adult D000367:Age Factors D002170:Canada D002186:Cannabinoids D005260:Female D006760:Hospitalization D006801:Humans D038801:International Classification of Diseases D008297:Male D002189:Marijuana Abuse D008603:Mental Health D015995:Prevalence D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced D012307:Risk Factors D012737:Sex Factors D000076742:Synthetic Drugs
psychotic disorders cannabis hospitalization Canada