Study register · detailFall-Kontroll-Studie · Cancer Risk · 2008
Cannabis use and risk of lung cancer: a case-control study.
Aldington et al.·European Respiratory Journal
HarmGRADEModerate257 citations
Samplen = 403 Pat.
ControlNon-/low-users
EndpointLung cancer risk
Blindingn.a.
DesignFall-Kontroll-Studie
Routeinhalativ
”Key finding
Cannabis smoking significantly increases the lung cancer risk in a dose-dependent manner, independent of cigarette smoking.
Summary
Case-control study (79 lung cancer cases, 324 controls, age ≤55 yrs, New Zealand): Lung cancer risk increased by 8% per joint-year of cannabis use (95% CI 2-15), adjusted for cigarette smoking; highest tertile of cannabis use: RR=5,7 (95% CI 1,5-21,6) vs. non-users.
P
PopulationAdults ≤55 years with lung carcinoma as well as control persons from New Zealand; n=79 cases, n=324 controls
I
InterventionCannabis smoking (exposure, assessed via questionnaire; unit: joint-years)
C
ControlNon-/low-users (control group without lung carcinoma)
O
Outcome8% increased lung cancer risk per joint-year (95% CI 2–15); highest tertile of cannabis use: RR 5,7 (95% CI 1,5–21,6), each adjusted for cigarette smoking
Confidence in the evidence
Very lowLowModerateHigh
Moderate
The third of four GRADE levels, the effect estimate is probably reliable.
Quality profile
Sample size★★★★★
Blinding—
Effect sizeHarm
Citations / year★★★★★
Authors
Aldington S, Harwood M, Cox B, Weatherall M, Beckert L, Hansell A, Pritchard A, Robinson G, Beasley R, Cannabis and Respiratory Disease Research Group.
The aim of the present study was to determine the risk of lung cancer associated with cannabis smoking. A case-control study of lung cancer in adults <or=55 yrs of age was conducted in eight district health boards in New Zealand. Cases were identified from the New Zealand Cancer Registry and hospital databases. Controls were randomly selected from the electoral roll, with frequency matching to cases in 5-yr age groups and district health boards. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to assess possible risk factors, including cannabis use. The relative risk of lung cancer associated with cannabis smoking was estimated by logistic regression. In total, 79 cases of lung cancer and 324 controls were included in the study. The risk of lung cancer increased 8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 2-15) for each joint-yr of cannabis smoking, after adjustment for confounding variables including cigarette smoking, and 7% (95% CI 5-9) for each pack-yr of cigarette smoking, after adjustment for confounding variables including cannabis smoking. The highest tertile of cannabis use was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer (relative risk 5.7 (95% CI 1.5-21.6)), after adjustment for confounding variables including cigarette smoking. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that long-term cannabis use increases the risk of lung cancer in young adults.