A Phenome-Wide Association Study of Marijuana Use and Circulating Biomarkers in the United States: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2018

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the associations between recent cannabis use and 49 biochemical biomarkers in a representative sample of American adults, using data from the 2009-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A phenotype-wide association study (PheWAS) was conducted to uncover new biomarkers linked to cannabis use. The analysis included 19,926 adults aged 18-59, with a mean age of 38.93 years (50.8% women), and 36.7% reporting recent cannabis use. Metabolic associations included higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (3.51 mg/dL, 95% CI [2.50, 4.62]) and lower glycohemoglobin (−0.09%, 95% CI [−0.15, −0.04]) and glucose (−2.39 mg/dL, 95% CI [−4.07, −0.70]). Hematological findings included higher hemoglobin (0.09 g/dL, 95% CI [0.02, 0.16]), mean erythrocyte volume (1.46 fL, 95% CI [1.12, 1.80]), mean erythrocyte hemoglobin (0.46 pg, 95% CI [0.32, 0.60]), erythrocyte volume fraction (0.31%, 95% CI [0.11%, 0.50%]), and lower erythrocyte counts (−0.04 million cells/µL, 95% CI [−0.07, −0.02]). Serum chemistry associations included higher bicarbonate (0.20 mmol/L, 95% CI [0.06, 0.35]) and lower chloride (−0.47 mmol/L, 95% CI [−0.69, −0.24]). Associations were also observed with 25 hydroxyvitamin-3 (OHD3) (2.38 nmol/L, 95% CI [0.55, 4.22]) and epi-25OHD3 (0.40 nmol/L, 95% CI [0.15, 0.65]), and an inverse association with globulin (−0.03 g/dL, 95% CI [−0.06, −0.01]). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these associations. Recent marijuana use is associated with diverse and complex phenotypes, several of which have not been previously evaluated. Further validation studies are warranted, this approach offers an opportunity to understand a comprehensive range of potential effects of marijuana use.