Abstract
Introduction: Previous studies have demonstrated an acute bronchodilator effect of smoked cannabis in healthy and asthmatic adults.
Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of single dose administration of vaporized cannabis in producing bronchodilation and reducing breathlessness and improving exercise endurance in advanced COPD.
Methods: 16 patients with GOLD stage III-IV COPD (FEV1=36±11%pred) underwent symptom-limited constant load cycle exercise testing after inhaling 35 mg of vaporized cannabis (18.2% THC, CBD <0.1%) or placebo (PLA, 0.33% THC, CBD 0.99%), randomized to order. Exercise endurance time (EET), and breathlessness intensity ratings (Borg 0-10 scale), breathing pattern, inspiratory capacity (IC) and inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) during exercise at isotime were compared between cannabis and PLA.
Results: Compared with PLA, inhaled vaporized cannabis had no effect on EET nor an effect on breathlessness intensity ratings, breathing pattern, IC and IRV during exercise at isotime.
Conclusion: Single-dose inhalation of vaporized cannabis vs. PLA had no demonstrable effect on dynamic airway, breathlessness and exercise tolerance in adults with advanced COPD.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2018 52: Suppl. 62, PA2422.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2018
