Cannabis psychosis, gender matters

Abstract

Introduction

Despite recent findings pointing toward cannabis psychosis as one area where gender differences may exist, there has been a widespread lack of attention paid to gender as a determinant of health in both psychiatric services and within the field of addiction.

Objectives

To explore gender differences in treatment presentations for people with cannabis psychosis.

Aims

To use national data sets to investigate gender differences.

Methods

Analysis of British Crime Survey data and a Hospital Episode Statistics data set were used in combination with data from previously published epidemiological studies to compare gender differences.

Results

Male cannabis users outnumber female users by 2:1, a similar gender ratio is found for those admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or psychosis. However this ratio increases significantly for those admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of cannabis psychosis, with males outnumbering females by 4:1.

Conclusions

This research brings into focus the marked gender differences in cannabis psychosis. Attending to gender is important for research and treatment with the aim of improving understanding and providing gender sensitive services.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.