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Dec 19, 2012 - 7 comments
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Thank you to mikesimon for sharing this article. I am posting it in my journal for reference.
Advocate1955
Regular marijuana use increases risk of hepatitis C-related liver damage
Posted on August 30, 2012
Bethesda, MD (Jan. 28, 2008) – Patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection should not use marijuana (cannabis) daily, according to a study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute. Researchers found that HCV patients who used cannabis daily were at significantly higher risk of moderate to severe liver fibrosis, or tissue scarring. Additionally, patients with moderate to heavy alcohol use combined with regular cannabis use experienced an even greater risk of liver fibrosis. The recommendation to avoid cannabis is especially important in patients who are coinfected with HCV/HIV since the progression of fibrosis is already greater in these patients.
“Hepatitis C is a major public health concern and the number of patients developing complications of chronic disease is on the rise,” according to Norah Terrault, MD, MPH, from the University of California, San Francisco and lead investigator of the study. “It is essential that we identify risk factors that can be modified to prevent and/or lessen the progression of HCV to fibrosis, cirrhosis and even liver cancer. These complications of chronic HCV infection will significantly contribute to the overall burden of liver disease in the U.S. and will continue to increase in the next decade.”
This is the first study that evaluates the relationship between alcohol and cannabis use in patients with HCV and those coinfected with HCV/HIV. It is of great importance to disease management that physicians understand the factors influencing HCV disease severity, especially those that are potentially modifiable. The use and abuse of both alcohol and marijuana together is not an uncommon behavior. Also, individuals who are moderate and heavy users of alcohol may use cannabis as a substitute to reduce their alcohol intake, especially after receiving a diagnosis like HCV, which affects their liver.
Researchers found a significant association between daily versus non-daily cannabis use and moderate to severe fibrosis when reviewing this factor alone. Other factors contributing to increased fibrosis included age at enrollment, lifetime duration of alcohol use, lifetime duration of moderate to heavy alcohol use and necroinflammatory score (stage of fibrosis). In reviewing combined factors, there was a strong (nearly 7-fold higher risk) and independent relationship between daily cannabis use and moderate to severe fibrosis. Gender, race, body mass index, HCV viral load and genotype, HIV coinfection, source of HCV infection, and biopsy length were not significantly associated with moderate to severe fibrosis.
Of the 328 patients screened for the study, 204 patients were included in the analysis. The baseline characteristics of those included in the study were similar to those excluded with the exception of daily cannabis use (13.7 percent of those studied used cannabis daily versus 6.45 percent of those not included). Patients who used cannabis daily had a significantly lower body mass index than non-daily users (25.2 versus 26.4), were more likely to be using medically prescribed cannabis (57.1 percent versus 8.79 percent), and more likely to have HIV coinfection (39.3 percent versus 18.2 percent).
The prevalence of cannabis use amongst adults in the U.S. is estimated to be almost 4 percent. Regular use has increased in certain population subgroups, including those aged 18 to 29.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis C is the most common form of hepatitis and infects nearly 4 million people in the U.S., with an estimated 150,000 new cases diagnosed each year. While it can be spread through blood transfusions and contaminated needles, for a substantial number of patients, the cause is unknown. This form of viral hepatitis may lead to cirrhosis, or scarring, of the liver. Coinfection of hepatitis C in patients who are HIV positive is common; about one quarter of patients infected with HIV are infected with hepatitis C. The majority of these patients, 50 to 90 percent, were infected through injection drug use. Hepatitis C ranks with alcohol abuse as the most common cause of chronic liver disease and leads to about 1,000 liver transplants yearly in the U.S.
http://engineeringevil.com/2012/08/30/regular-marijuana-use-increases-risk-of-hepatitis-c-related-liver-damage/
Advocate1955
Regular marijuana use increases risk of hepatitis C-related liver damage
Posted on August 30, 2012
Bethesda, MD (Jan. 28, 2008) – Patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection should not use marijuana (cannabis) daily, according to a study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute. Researchers found that HCV patients who used cannabis daily were at significantly higher risk of moderate to severe liver fibrosis, or tissue scarring. Additionally, patients with moderate to heavy alcohol use combined with regular cannabis use experienced an even greater risk of liver fibrosis. The recommendation to avoid cannabis is especially important in patients who are coinfected with HCV/HIV since the progression of fibrosis is already greater in these patients.
“Hepatitis C is a major public health concern and the number of patients developing complications of chronic disease is on the rise,” according to Norah Terrault, MD, MPH, from the University of California, San Francisco and lead investigator of the study. “It is essential that we identify risk factors that can be modified to prevent and/or lessen the progression of HCV to fibrosis, cirrhosis and even liver cancer. These complications of chronic HCV infection will significantly contribute to the overall burden of liver disease in the U.S. and will continue to increase in the next decade.”
This is the first study that evaluates the relationship between alcohol and cannabis use in patients with HCV and those coinfected with HCV/HIV. It is of great importance to disease management that physicians understand the factors influencing HCV disease severity, especially those that are potentially modifiable. The use and abuse of both alcohol and marijuana together is not an uncommon behavior. Also, individuals who are moderate and heavy users of alcohol may use cannabis as a substitute to reduce their alcohol intake, especially after receiving a diagnosis like HCV, which affects their liver.
Researchers found a significant association between daily versus non-daily cannabis use and moderate to severe fibrosis when reviewing this factor alone. Other factors contributing to increased fibrosis included age at enrollment, lifetime duration of alcohol use, lifetime duration of moderate to heavy alcohol use and necroinflammatory score (stage of fibrosis). In reviewing combined factors, there was a strong (nearly 7-fold higher risk) and independent relationship between daily cannabis use and moderate to severe fibrosis. Gender, race, body mass index, HCV viral load and genotype, HIV coinfection, source of HCV infection, and biopsy length were not significantly associated with moderate to severe fibrosis.
Of the 328 patients screened for the study, 204 patients were included in the analysis. The baseline characteristics of those included in the study were similar to those excluded with the exception of daily cannabis use (13.7 percent of those studied used cannabis daily versus 6.45 percent of those not included). Patients who used cannabis daily had a significantly lower body mass index than non-daily users (25.2 versus 26.4), were more likely to be using medically prescribed cannabis (57.1 percent versus 8.79 percent), and more likely to have HIV coinfection (39.3 percent versus 18.2 percent).
The prevalence of cannabis use amongst adults in the U.S. is estimated to be almost 4 percent. Regular use has increased in certain population subgroups, including those aged 18 to 29.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis C is the most common form of hepatitis and infects nearly 4 million people in the U.S., with an estimated 150,000 new cases diagnosed each year. While it can be spread through blood transfusions and contaminated needles, for a substantial number of patients, the cause is unknown. This form of viral hepatitis may lead to cirrhosis, or scarring, of the liver. Coinfection of hepatitis C in patients who are HIV positive is common; about one quarter of patients infected with HIV are infected with hepatitis C. The majority of these patients, 50 to 90 percent, were infected through injection drug use. Hepatitis C ranks with alcohol abuse as the most common cause of chronic liver disease and leads to about 1,000 liver transplants yearly in the U.S.
http://engineeringevil.com/2012/08/30/regular-marijuana-use-increases-risk-of-hepatitis-c-related-liver-damage/
I seriously doubt marijuana is on par with alcohol in ANY way. Sounds like propaganda to keep cannabis down since scientist keep discovering new uses for marijuana. I will stand by my thought of smoking as what has kept me so healthy since 1974 when I got it. I do not drink, except my damn bourbon balls at Christmas, I could care less about. Alcohol is bad for you, not weed. PROPAGANDA
McKansas - "I will stand by my thought of smoking as what has kept me so healthy since 1974 when I got it."
From reading your journals and status updates you don't sound very healthy to me. This study was published by the Clinical Gastroenology and Hepatology and they are just reporting their findings. There is a reason we read all of these studies and reports...to gather information so we can make informed and educated choices.
"I seriously doubt marijuana is on par with alcohol in ANY way". You might want to re-read the article Advocate posted (Mike Simon).
"PROPAGANDA" Not hardly. This article evaluates the relationship between alcohol/marijuana use and fibrosis staging. Plus several other factors are involved so it is not propaganda against marijuana.
As for myself, I do not smoke marijuana or drink alcohol. I was able to gather information from this forum and other trusted sights and make an educated choice. I would like to rid myself of Hep C, hopefully, and not advance to cirrhosis. And I sure as hell don't want to end up on the transplant list.
So I hope you can gather more information and make educated decisions. Life is too short!
Jules
From reading your journals and status updates you don't sound very healthy to me. This study was published by the Clinical Gastroenology and Hepatology and they are just reporting their findings. There is a reason we read all of these studies and reports...to gather information so we can make informed and educated choices.
"I seriously doubt marijuana is on par with alcohol in ANY way". You might want to re-read the article Advocate posted (Mike Simon).
"PROPAGANDA" Not hardly. This article evaluates the relationship between alcohol/marijuana use and fibrosis staging. Plus several other factors are involved so it is not propaganda against marijuana.
As for myself, I do not smoke marijuana or drink alcohol. I was able to gather information from this forum and other trusted sights and make an educated choice. I would like to rid myself of Hep C, hopefully, and not advance to cirrhosis. And I sure as hell don't want to end up on the transplant list.
So I hope you can gather more information and make educated decisions. Life is too short!
Jules
I try to post information on my journals that includes research studies that I find interesting and I hope others will find interesting and help them make informed decisions as well.
I had never heard before that smoking marijuana can actually increase liver damage. The first that I heard that was specifically from a transplant hepatologist in a liver transplant center in a university based medical center.
Then mikesimon posted this article, I found it informative, and as I said above, I posted it in my journal for reference.
Personally, if I had any type of hepatitis, I would not choose to do anything that might increase liver damage. Secondly, if I had advanced Cirrhosis, End Stage Liver Disease, and/or my liver were failing, I would not choose to do anything that would risk causing my liver to fail or that would cause me to be rejected as a candidate for a liver transplant.
Advocate1955
I had never heard before that smoking marijuana can actually increase liver damage. The first that I heard that was specifically from a transplant hepatologist in a liver transplant center in a university based medical center.
Then mikesimon posted this article, I found it informative, and as I said above, I posted it in my journal for reference.
Personally, if I had any type of hepatitis, I would not choose to do anything that might increase liver damage. Secondly, if I had advanced Cirrhosis, End Stage Liver Disease, and/or my liver were failing, I would not choose to do anything that would risk causing my liver to fail or that would cause me to be rejected as a candidate for a liver transplant.
Advocate1955
I heard of one study that was disputed because all the participants were heavy drinkers, some use pot as well, others did not.
Since this study came out sometime around 2008, I can't help but wonder if this is not the same study.
Doctors in California have wanted to have mj legal for further research. Good unbiased research is sorely lacking.
One big factor left out of the study was whether there is a difference between smoking it, using a vaporizer, tinctures or edibles.
As whatever we breath, like what we eat is filtered through out liver, it makes sense to me that the smoke itself, from whatever substance, could be damaging to those with an already impaired liver.Just as polluted air is as well.
A better option for people with liver problems would probably be to either use a good vaporizer, tincture or edible.
Since this study came out sometime around 2008, I can't help but wonder if this is not the same study.
Doctors in California have wanted to have mj legal for further research. Good unbiased research is sorely lacking.
One big factor left out of the study was whether there is a difference between smoking it, using a vaporizer, tinctures or edibles.
As whatever we breath, like what we eat is filtered through out liver, it makes sense to me that the smoke itself, from whatever substance, could be damaging to those with an already impaired liver.Just as polluted air is as well.
A better option for people with liver problems would probably be to either use a good vaporizer, tincture or edible.
Another link to check out:
http://az-medical-marijuana-card.com/hepatitis-c-and-medical-marijuanac/
http://az-medical-marijuana-card.com/hepatitis-c-and-medical-marijuanac/
@orphanedhawk: According to Cannabis Culture Marijuana Magazine, edible marijuana is porcessed through the liver. The National Cancer Institute says that when marijuana is ingested by mouth, such as with tea or products baked, liver processing occurs. So, since the chemicals in marijuana are processed by the liver and it is a federally illegal drug, these are two very good reasons for anyone with liver problems to not use marijuana at all.
LivingHope
All our food is processed through the liver.
Everything you eat is made chemicals.
It's illegality ( in most states) has nothing to do with whether it is healthy or not.
( Too much tylenol can kill you yet anyone can buy it including kids.)
Doctors in California have petitioned to have pot legalized for research purposes. There simply is not enough unbiased research to make a blank statement about pot's effects. I can find more claiming it helps than harms.
I ate cannabis brownies during hep C tx, which my medical team approved of,to relieve my back pain and I am now hep C free.
People have had emergency liver transplants due to taking tylenol..
Nobody has ever died from marijuana or needed a transplant from using too much pot. They might have fallen asleep:)
* * *
Hepatitis C - The Silent Killer - Can Medical Cannabis Help?
The short answer is yes.
The primary role of cannabis is to stimulate appetite, reduce nausea and vomiting, and treat joint pain.
This role is applicable to HCV patients undergoing chemotherapy, those with cancer or cirrhosis, and those with joint pain and headache. Cannabis is far less toxic than other medications that might be prescribed for these conditions and where liver impairment is concerned, it is vital to avoid toxicity. Cannabis may help alleviate the depression often produced by chronic illness and by combination drug therapy. Additionally, cannabis based food products may provide needed extra nutrition without taxing the liver. Using cannabis in place of alcohol is an established harm reduction technique particularly important when liver disease is present.
Perhaps more important but still unknown is the possibility that some of the chemical components of cannabis (the Cannabinoids) may actually reduce liver inflammation and slow the progression of both cirrhosis and Hepatocellular carcinoma. The cannabinoids have been shown to be powerful anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants. They have also been shown to have anti-neoplastic activity, at least in gliomas (a form of brain cancer). Cannabinoids both slow programmed cell death (apoptosis) in normal cells while accelerating apoptosis in cancer cells.
Since cannabis is nontoxic it might as well be tried, particularly in patients who have chronic progressive disease that is likely to result in death. Dosing is up to the physician and patient. Usually patients "self-titrate" or use only what they feel they need for symptomatic relief. This may be a mistake as the protective effects of cannabis are best achieved with a steady state minimal blood level of Cannabinoids. It is recommended that a base line level of Cannabinoids be maintained with regular doses of oral cannabis products and the smoked or vaporized form of cannabis used for acute symptomatic relief.
excerpts from Jay R. Cavanaugh, PhD
Cannabis is not hepatotoxic. You can use cannabis to treat the symptoms of hepatitis C without affecting its course. Many people who have this problem use cannabis to get symptomatic relief. - Lester Grinspoon MD
... Patients with even mild cases of Hepatitis C often experience nonspecific and intermittent symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, poor appetite, fatigue, depression, muscle and joint pains, weight loss, and mild right-upper-quadrant discomfort or tenderness. These symptoms may become more pronounced and chronic as the disease progresses....
All our food is processed through the liver.
Everything you eat is made chemicals.
It's illegality ( in most states) has nothing to do with whether it is healthy or not.
( Too much tylenol can kill you yet anyone can buy it including kids.)
Doctors in California have petitioned to have pot legalized for research purposes. There simply is not enough unbiased research to make a blank statement about pot's effects. I can find more claiming it helps than harms.
I ate cannabis brownies during hep C tx, which my medical team approved of,to relieve my back pain and I am now hep C free.
People have had emergency liver transplants due to taking tylenol..
Nobody has ever died from marijuana or needed a transplant from using too much pot. They might have fallen asleep:)
* * *
Hepatitis C - The Silent Killer - Can Medical Cannabis Help?
The short answer is yes.
The primary role of cannabis is to stimulate appetite, reduce nausea and vomiting, and treat joint pain.
This role is applicable to HCV patients undergoing chemotherapy, those with cancer or cirrhosis, and those with joint pain and headache. Cannabis is far less toxic than other medications that might be prescribed for these conditions and where liver impairment is concerned, it is vital to avoid toxicity. Cannabis may help alleviate the depression often produced by chronic illness and by combination drug therapy. Additionally, cannabis based food products may provide needed extra nutrition without taxing the liver. Using cannabis in place of alcohol is an established harm reduction technique particularly important when liver disease is present.
Perhaps more important but still unknown is the possibility that some of the chemical components of cannabis (the Cannabinoids) may actually reduce liver inflammation and slow the progression of both cirrhosis and Hepatocellular carcinoma. The cannabinoids have been shown to be powerful anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants. They have also been shown to have anti-neoplastic activity, at least in gliomas (a form of brain cancer). Cannabinoids both slow programmed cell death (apoptosis) in normal cells while accelerating apoptosis in cancer cells.
Since cannabis is nontoxic it might as well be tried, particularly in patients who have chronic progressive disease that is likely to result in death. Dosing is up to the physician and patient. Usually patients "self-titrate" or use only what they feel they need for symptomatic relief. This may be a mistake as the protective effects of cannabis are best achieved with a steady state minimal blood level of Cannabinoids. It is recommended that a base line level of Cannabinoids be maintained with regular doses of oral cannabis products and the smoked or vaporized form of cannabis used for acute symptomatic relief.
excerpts from Jay R. Cavanaugh, PhD
Cannabis is not hepatotoxic. You can use cannabis to treat the symptoms of hepatitis C without affecting its course. Many people who have this problem use cannabis to get symptomatic relief. - Lester Grinspoon MD
... Patients with even mild cases of Hepatitis C often experience nonspecific and intermittent symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, poor appetite, fatigue, depression, muscle and joint pains, weight loss, and mild right-upper-quadrant discomfort or tenderness. These symptoms may become more pronounced and chronic as the disease progresses....
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