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Study register · detail Prospektive Kohortenstudie (Propensity-Score-adjustiert) · Depression Risk · 2008

Adolescent Cannabis Problems and Young Adult Depression: Male-Female Stratified Propensity Score Analyses

Harder et al. ·American Journal of Epidemiology
No benefit demonstrated GRADE Low 75 citations
Samplen = 1.494 Pat.
Duration1985 to 2002
ControlAdolescents without cannabis problems
EndpointDepression in young adulthood
Blindingn.a.
DesignProspektive Kohortenstudie (Propensity-Score-adjustiert)
Key finding

Cannabis problems in adolescence did not significantly increase the risk of depression in young adulthood in either women or men.

Summary

n=1.494 adolescents (55% female), cohort age 6–21 years (1985–2002), repeated measurements, propensity score adjustment; estimated risk of depression in young adulthood associated with adolescent cannabis problems: OR women=0,7 (95% CI 0,2–2,3), OR men=1,7 (95% CI 0,8–3,6) — both not significant; no statistical evidence of a causal association between adolescent cannabis problems and young adult depression.

P
PopulationAdolescents from a US metropolitan region (Mid-Atlantic), follow-up from age 6 to 21 years, n=1.494 (55% female)
I
InterventionCannabis problems in adolescence (exposure)
C
ControlAdolescents without cannabis problems (propensity score-adjusted)
O
OutcomeRisk of depression in young adulthood: women OR=0,7 (95% CI: 0,2–2,3), men OR=1,7 (95% CI: 0,8–3,6), each not significant
Confidence in the evidence
Low

The second of four GRADE levels, the effect estimate is of limited reliability.

Quality profile
Sample size ★★★★★
Blinding —
Effect size No benefit
Citations / year ★★★★★
Authors
Harder V S, Stuart E A, Anthony J C
DOI 10.1093/aje/kwn184↗
Design: Prospektive Kohortenstudie (Propensity-Score-adjustiert)
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Abstract
Cannabis use and depression are two of the most prevalent conditions worldwide. Adolescent cannabis use is linked to depression in many studies, but the effects of adolescent cannabis involvement on young adult depression remain unclear and may differ for males versus females. In this cohort study of youth from a mid-Atlantic metropolitan area of the United States, repeated assessments from 1985 (at age 6 years) through 2002 (at age 21 years) were made for 1,494 individuals (55% female). Measured covariate differences between individuals with and without cannabis problems were controlled via propensity score techniques. The estimated risk of young adult depression for adolescents with cannabis problems was not significantly different from that for comparison adolescents for either females (odds ratio = 0.7, 95% confidence interval: 0.2, 2.3) or males (odds ratio = 1.7, 95% confidence interval: 0.8, 3.6). The evidence does not support a causal association linking adolescent-onset cannabis problems with young adult depression.
Indication
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