A Retrospective Analysis of Cannabidiol (CBD) Use in a Concussion Cohort (P7-1.007)

Abstract

<h3>Objective:</h3> To perform a retrospective cohort study describing Cannabidiol (CBD) use in a concussion clinic. <h3>Background:</h3> People report using CBD for a range of symptoms, many of which overlap with post-concussion symptoms. CBD use has not been assessed in a concussed population. We performed a retrospective cohort study to describe CBD use in a concussion clinic. We hypothesized CBD use would be more likely in patients with psychiatric diagnoses, headaches, cannabis use, and greater post-concussion symptoms and concussion chronicity. We assessed whether cannabis use could account for any of the findings. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> We reviewed medical notes from 567 selected patients aged &gt;=18 from 07/26/2018 to 07/27/2021 and extracted self-reported CBD use and demographics, medical history, and post-concussion symptoms (via Graded Symptom Checklist (GSC)). We used descriptive and non-parametric statistics to test our hypotheses. <h3>Results:</h3> CBD users made up 11% of the cohort and did not differ on demographic variables (e.g., age, sex, injury acuity) from non-users. After adjusting for age, sex, injury acuity, and cannabis use, CBD users had a 3.48 (1.80, 6.75) (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) and 1.99 (1.04, 3.99) (<i>p</i> = 0.04) times higher odds of reporting cannabis use and a psychiatric diagnosis, respectively, but no difference in headaches (<i>p</i> = 0.61). CBD users relative to non-users reported greater total post-concussion symptoms (CBD users GSC = 58.59, Non-users GSC = 45.73, <i>p</i> = 0.04), which was driven by cognitive (<i>p</i>=0.03) and physical (<i>p</i>=0.05) symptoms. Despite the correlation between cannabis and CBD use, cannabis use did not correlate with greater post-concussion symptoms. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> This study is the first to describe CBD use in concussed patients. CBD use was more common in concussed patients with premorbid psychiatric diagnoses and greater post-concussive symptoms, and this was not influenced by cannabis use. Prospective studies are necessary to assess the safety and efficacy of CBD in concussion. <b>Disclosure:</b> Dr. Rafie has nothing to disclose. Mr. Rosenbaum has received research support from Region IV Training Center. Dr. Bickart has nothing to disclose. Neil Avinash Bhathela, MD has nothing to disclose. Mr. Chung has nothing to disclose. Dr. Giza has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Highmark Interactive. Dr. Giza has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Novartis Pharmaceutical. Dr. Giza has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for Lewitt, Hackman, Shapiro, Marshall &amp; Harlan. Dr. Giza has received stock or an ownership interest from Highmark Interactive. The institution of Dr. Giza has received research support from NCAA. The institution of Dr. Giza has received research support from US Department of Defense. The institution of Dr. Giza has received research support from UCLA: Brain Injury Research Center, Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Program, Easton Clinic for Brain Health. Dr. Giza has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Choe has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for Legal Cases. The institution of Dr. Choe has received research support from NIH. The institution of Dr. Choe has received research support from AIR-P. Dr. Choe has a non-compensated relationship as a Board of Directors with NABIS that is relevant to AAN interests or activities. Dr. Choe has a non-compensated relationship as a Consultant with USA Swimming Concussion Task Force that is relevant to AAN interests or activities.