Authors :
Presenting Author: Laura Silla, MD – Mayo Clinic Arizona
Hoerth Matthew, MD – Mayo Clinic
Cornelia Drees, MD – Mayo Clinic
Oliver Hoerth, Student – Mayo Clinic Arizona
Ejerzain Aniles-Renova, PA – Mayo Clinic Arizona
Dona Locke, PhD – Mayo Clinic Arizona
Kristin Kirlin, PhD – Mayo Clinic Arizona
Emily Thompson, MS – Mayo Clinic Arizona
Nan Zhang, MS – Mayo Clinic Arizona
Joseph Drazkowski, MD – Mayo Clinic
Rationale:
Cannabis use has been legalized in many states, with increased use also seen in PWE. This study aims to assess the relationship between cannabis use and personality and quality of life in PWE.
Methods:
Patients over 18 years admitted for the first time to the epilepsy monitoring unit in 2023 with a final diagnosis of epilepsy were included. Admissions data encompassing demographics, drug screening results, and neuropsychological evaluation outcomes were extracted from the electronic medical record and analyzed. Quality of life was assessed using the Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE)-31 questionnaire and psychopathology was assessed using the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI). Patients were grouped into 2 categories: those who self-reported and/or tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (MJ+), and those who denied using and/or tested negative for THC (MJ-). Comparative statistics were performed.
Results:
118 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 41 were classified as MJ+ (35%), and 77 as MJ- (65%). Average age was significantly lower for MJ+ vs MJ- (37.7 vs 47.2, p=.002). Overall QOLIE-31 scores were significantly lower for MJ+ compared to MJ- (43.1 vs 52.7, p=0.003). QOLIE-31 subscores were significantly lower for MJ+ than MJ- for “overall quality of life” (42.9 vs 47.1,p=0.045), “emotional well-being” , (44.4 vs 49.6, p=0.011), and “social functioning” (37.8 vs 43.7, p=0.001). Regarding PAI scores, MJ+ patients were significantly more likely to report abnormal symptoms of mania, schizophrenia, anxiety-related disorders, alcohol problems, drug problems, and aggression than MJ-.
Conclusions:
In PWE, MJ+ patients were significantly more likely to have lower QOLIE-31 and elevated indicators of psychopathology. While this study suggests a correlation, further investigation is needed to determine whether results are due to cannabis use itself or cannabis use is linked to pre-existing comorbidities.
Funding: None