.
CHS, which is triggered by chronic cannabis usage and manifests with GI and autonomic symptoms, is on the rise in the United States, yet underdiagnosis remains a challenge and clinical data are scarce, reported lead update panelist Alberto Rubio Tapia, MD, of Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, and colleagues.
Courtesy Cleveland Clinic
Dr. Alberto Rubio Tapia
“Although cannabis use has been reported for many decades, some of its unique adverse effects of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, termed CHS, were noted relatively recently,” the panelists wrote in Gastroenterology. “The objective of this article was to help practitioners define the appropriate approach to the diagnosis and management of CHS.”
According to the update, the typical CHS patient is male with a years-long history of daily or near-daily cannabis use. Paradoxically, while cannabis use drives this condition, some patients with CHS report that cannabis use relieves their symptoms.The update describes CHS as a subtype of cyclical vomiting syndrome (CVS), and offers diagnostic criteria for CHS, reproduced below verbatim:
- Clinical features: stereotypical episodic vomiting resembling CVS in terms of onset, with frequency 3 or more times annually;
- Cannabis use patterns: duration of cannabis use more than 1 year before symptom onset; frequency more than 4 times per week, on average;
- Cannabis cessation: resolution of symptoms after a period of abstinence from cannabis use for at least 6 months, or at least equal to the total duration of 3 typical vomiting cycles in that patient.
As CHS is a subtype of CVS, the update also provides an outline and management guide for this broader condition, which is characterized by four phases: inter-episodic, prodromal, emetic, and recovery.
During the inter-episodic phase, patients will have minimal or no symptoms, although almost one third will describe dyspepsia or nausea. Prophylactic medications in this period include tricyclics, mitochondrial supplements like CoQ10 and vitamin B12, NK1 antagonists, and anticonvulsants.
The prodromal phase is characterized by abdominal pain and nausea with a duration of 30-90 minutes. During this time patients may have autonomic symptoms like sweating and feeling hot or cold. Psychological symptoms may include feelings of panic and being “out of control.” Abortive medications are appropriate during this period, according to the update, like triptans and antiemetics.
Next comes the emetic phase, in which patients exhibit “relentless vomiting,” retching, abdominal pain, neurological symptoms and extreme thirst. Because an empty stomach may provide relief, inducing emesis may be considered, along with rest in a quiet dark room and supportive care.
Finally, the vomiting subsides during the recovery phase, when it is possible to restart oral intake and resume normal activities.
While this framework may be useful when managing patients with CHS, intervention should be centered around cannabis cessation, according to the update.
“For long-term management, counseling to achieve marijuana cessation and tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, are the mainstay of therapy,” Dr. Rubio Tapia and colleagues wrote.
Advising patients to stop cannabis “cold turkey” is not recommended, they added, as this may bring on withdrawal symptoms, and it tends to be ineffective in this population, which has a high recidivism rate.
“Co-management with a psychologist or psychiatrist may be helpful for patients who have a lack of response to standard therapies or extensive psychiatric comorbidity,” the panelists wrote. “Anxiety and depression are very common associated conditions.”
Dr. Rubio Tapia and colleagues concluded with a call for more research.
“Further understanding of CHS pathophysiology and evidence-based therapies are urgently needed,” they wrote.
This update was commissioned and approved by the AGA. The update panelists disclosed relationships with Evoke Pharma, RedHill Biopharma, Takeda, and others.
