Risk for increased use in CF population
Similar to findings reported by Stephen and
colleagues’6, we also found that approximately half of
the subjects who had never used would try marijuana or CBD if given the
opportunity or if marijuana was legal. This indicates a probable
increase in substance usage among the CF community as societal stigma
around marijuana decreases and legality continues to shift. In addition,
we found that many pwCF used substances due to the influence of friends
and family and seeking a sense of normalcy, as seen in a prior
study20. As pwCF are leading longer lives with fewer
significant health disruptions due to CFTR modulators, substance use
prevalence may increase over time.
There is a great need to expand the current knowledge of and guidance
regarding marijuana and CBD use in the CF patient population. Further
research is warranted to counsel pwCF accurately, as many report
experiencing therapeutic benefits. With the advancements in therapies
that enhance the quality of life and increase life expectancy, coupled
with evolving legal landscapes, pwCF will have more opportunities to
explore these substances than previous generations.
In this study, we have identified several factors with respect to
substance use in pwCF that merit further consideration in CF routine
patient care and future research. Most importantly, CF care providers
must screen for substance use starting in the patient’s early teenage
years. Second, CF care providers should feel comfortable addressing the
topics of marijuana, CBD, e-cigarettes, and cigarette use and potential
risks with patients and families. Finally, more studies are needed to
understand potential interactions between these substances, especially
marijuana and CBD and the concomitant use of CFTR modulators.