[Pulmonary consequences of marijuana smoking]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2006 May 1;168(18):1743-6.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

Based on previously published studies, this review describes the pulmonary consequences of marijuana smoking. Smoking of marijuana is significantly associated with chronic bronchitis (cough and phlegm), but it has not been firmly established whether it also leads to a reduction in lung function. Both epidemiological studies and case reports suggest that regular smokers of marijuana have a higher risk of developing malignancies in both the upper and lower airways. Smoking of marijuana contaminated with fungus spores has been reported to lead to pulmonary aspergillus infections in immunocompromised patients, and sharing of marijuana water pipes has been associated with transmission of tuberculosis.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aspergillosis / chemically induced
  • Bronchitis / chemically induced
  • Chronic Disease
  • Humans
  • Lung / drug effects*
  • Lung / physiopathology
  • Lung Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / chemically induced
  • Lung Volume Measurements
  • Marijuana Smoking / adverse effects*
  • Respiratory Tract Neoplasms / chemically induced
  • Risk Factors
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / etiology