Association Between Cannabis Use Disorder and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Young Adults: A Nationwide Claims Database Study

Urology. 2026 Jun 18:S0090-4295(26)00375-4. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2026.06.022. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) with new diagnoses of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a young adult cohort.

METHODS: Using the TriNetX database, we identified patients aged 18-34 and stratified by sex and CUD diagnosis into cohorts. Propensity score matching was utilized on demographics and variables potentially affecting LUTS. The primary outcomes were 5-year risks of new onset lower urinary tract diagnoses, including all-cause LUTS, dysuria, pelvic/perineal pain, overactive bladder (OAB), and urinary tract infection (UTI), among patients with CUD compared to controls.

RESULTS: We identified 101,761 and 67,110 matched pairs of males and females, respectively. At 5-year follow-up, CUD was associated with a higher risk of new onset of all-cause LUTS in males (RR 1.69, 95% CI 1.60-1.80, p<0.01) and females (RR 1.81, 95% CI 1.73-1.89, p<0.01) compared to controls. Increased risks of dysuria, pelvic/perineal pain, and UTI were observed in both male and female CUD patients compared to controls (all p<0.01). CUD was not associated with OAB in either males or females.

CONCLUSION: In a cohort of young adults, CUD was associated with a greater risk of developing LUTS in both men and women. Further research is needed to define the impact of cannabinoids on lower urinary tract function.

PMID:42314790 | DOI:10.1016/j.urology.2026.06.022