OBJECTIVE: The data of a consecutive series of habitual marijuana smokers were retrospectively evaluated and compared with that of non-marijuana smokers to assess differences between the 2 groups. METHODS: 13 consecutive habitual marijuana smokers were referred for treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax. The demographic, clinical, radiological, and pathological findings of these patients were reviewed and compared with 140 non-marijuana smokers treated for the same pathology at the same time. RESULTS: Bullae were seen in 8/13 (62%) and 110/140 (78%) of marijuana smokers and non-marijuana smokers, respectively. However, when patients less than 35-years old were considered, the incidence of bulla was higher in marijuana smokers than non-marijuana smokers (7/10 vs. 3/10, p < 0.05). The pathological findings showed a greater presence of inflammatory cells in specimens from marijuana smokers than those of non-marijuana smokers (8/11 vs. 2/42, respectively, p < 0.05). No significant differences in hospital stay and clinical outcome were registered between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that we were unable to demonstrate that marijuana had a causal role in the development of emphysema, our study showed that marijuana smokers had a higher incidence of inflammatory cells in pathological specimens, which may favor lung injury, thus predisposing to bulla formation.
OBJECTIVE: The data of a consecutive series of habitual marijuana smokers were retrospectively evaluated and compared with that of non-marijuana smokers to assess differences between the 2 groups. METHODS: 13 consecutive habitual marijuana smokers were referred for treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax. The demographic, clinical, radiological, and pathological findings of these patients were reviewed and compared with 140 non-marijuana smokers treated for the same pathology at the same time. RESULTS: Bullae were seen in 8/13 (62%) and 110/140 (78%) of marijuana smokers and non-marijuana smokers, respectively. However, when patients less than 35-years old were considered, the incidence of bulla was higher in marijuana smokers than non-marijuana smokers (7/10 vs. 3/10, p < 0.05). The pathological findings showed a greater presence of inflammatory cells in specimens from marijuana smokers than those of non-marijuana smokers (8/11 vs. 2/42, respectively, p < 0.05). No significant differences in hospital stay and clinical outcome were registered between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that we were unable to demonstrate that marijuana had a causal role in the development of emphysema, our study showed that marijuana smokers had a higher incidence of inflammatory cells in pathological specimens, which may favor lung injury, thus predisposing to bulla formation.
Authors: Madeline A Morris; Sean R Jacobson; Gregory L Kinney; Donald P Tashkin; Prescott G Woodruff; Eric A Hoffman; Richard E Kanner; Christopher B Cooper; M Brad Drummond; R Graham Barr; Elizabeth C Oelsner; Barry J Make; MeiLan K Han; Nadia N Hansel; Wanda K O'Neal; Russell P Bowler Journal: Chronic Obstr Pulm Dis Date: 2018-01-24
Authors: Benedikt Fischer; Cayley Russell; Pamela Sabioni; Wim van den Brink; Bernard Le Foll; Wayne Hall; Jürgen Rehm; Robin Room Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2017-06-23 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Alfonso Fiorelli; Antonio D'Andrilli; Roberto Cascone; Luisa Occhiati; Marco Anile; Daniele Diso; Francesco Cassiano; Camilla Poggi; Mohsen Ibrahim; Giacomo Cusumano; Alberto Terminella; Giuseppe Failla; Alba La Sala; Michela Bezzi; Margherita Innocenti; Elena Torricelli; Federico Venuta; Erino Angelo Rendina; Giovanni Vicidomini; Mario Santini; Claudio Andreetti Journal: J Thorac Dis Date: 2018-11 Impact factor: 2.895
Authors: S Kepka; J C Dalphin; A L Parmentier; J B Pretalli; M Gantelet; N Bernard; F Mauny; T Desmettre Journal: Can Respir J Date: 2017-03-30 Impact factor: 2.409