An observational study in D000096704 and Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, sponsored by University Hospital, Angers. Recruiting at 3 sites in France. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-08-28.
Sponsored by University Hospital, Angers · Observational
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is characterized by incoercible abdominal pain and vomiting in patients with chronic cannabis use. Patients are relieved by hot showers, an easily performed diagnostic test.
The prevalence of this syndrome in France is not well known. A single French study from 2021, carried out in two Marseille emergency departments, estimated a 1.6% prevalence of CHS (48 cases / 2848 patients) in patients consulting for acute abdominal pain with no etiology found over a 10-month period.
Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance in France. France is also the second biggest cannabis consumer in Europe, with around 11% of the French population currently using the drug (use within the year).
Despite growing attention to CHS, the diagnosis and management of this syndrome remains difficult, with repeated visits to emergency departments often required before a diagnosis is made. What's more, once the diagnosis has been made, the severity of symptoms can lengthen the emergency room length of stay.
Main objective:
To estimate the incidence of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome among patients admitted on a first visit for abdominal pain and/or vomiting to the Maine et Loire emergency department.
Primary endpoint:
The incidence of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome among patients presenting with abdominal pain and/or vomiting, consulting adult emergency departments in Maine et Loire. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome will be considered in all patients admitted for abdominal pain and/or vomiting, who are regular cannabis users (weekly use for more than 6 months declared by questionnaire) and in whom no other etiology is accepted after any additional examinations.
Research plan and procedure:
It is an observational, prospective, multi-center cohort study. Participation in the study is offered to any emergency room patient who meets all inclusion criteria and none of the non-inclusion criteria. Patients are included after reading the information note. Consent is obtained on a no-objection basis.
A questionnaire is given to participants via a QR code with an identification number generated by the investigating physician. This QR code opens an online questionnaire that the patient can fill in while in the emergency department. In the absence of access to the QR code (no cell phone), the questionnaire will be given to the participant in paper format by the investigating physician. It will be collected at the end of the inclusion visit.
Participants who have revealed cannabis use (at least 1 time per week for at least 6 months) via the questionnaire are followed up at 3 months (+/- 15 days) by telephone to assess the evolution of symptoms, any recurrences, medical treatment and whether or not cannabis has been withdrawn.
Inclusion criteria:
Non-inclusion criteria:
Number of research participants:
At present, there are no data on the incidence of CHS in the French literature. In order to assess the number of subjects required, we made a projection based on the only French study to date. In this study, carried out in two departments in Marseille, the percentage of patients with CHS among those consulting the emergency department for acute abdominal pain was 1.6%. Thus, assuming that the proportion of the event will be identical to that of the study carried out in Marseille, i.e. 1.6%, it would be necessary to recruit 3,000 people with abdominal pain and/or vomiting to have around 50 patients with CHS.
Research duration:
Inclusion period: 12 months Duration of participation: 3 months +/- 15 days (for patients with CHS) Study duration: 15 months
793 studies on the registry are indexed under Vomiting; 99 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 3,000 is above the median of 161 across 84 observational studies indexed under Vomiting.
Browse Vomiting studies →University Hospital, Angers is the lead sponsor of 478 studies on the registry; 120 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
At present, there are no data on the incidence of CHS in the French literature. In order to assess the number of subjects required, we made a projection based on the only French study to date. In this study, carried out in two departments in Marseille, the percentage of patients with CHS among those consulting the emergency department for acute abdominal pain was 1.6%. Thus, assuming that the proportion of the event will be identical to that of the study carried out in Marseille, i.e. 1.6%, it would be necessary to recruit 3,000 people with abdominal pain and/or vomiting to have around 50 patients with CHS.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Number of patients with confirmed cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) among patients presenting with abdominal pain and/or vomiting, consulting adult emergency departments in Maine et Loire
The incidence of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome among patients presenting with abdominal pain and/or vomiting, consulting adult emergency departments in Maine et Loire. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome will be considered in all patients admitted for abdominal pain and/or vomiting, who are regular cannabis users (weekly use for more than 6 months declared by questionnaire) and in whom no other etiology is accepted after further investigations.
Time frame: Inclusion period will last 12 month and the whole study 15 month. Participation of each CHS positive patient is expected to last 3 month +/- 15 days.
Gender and age distribution of patients with cannabinoid hyperhaemesis syndrome (CHS)
Socio-demographic data for the CHS population: gender, age
Time frame: Inclusion period will last 12 months and the whole study 15 months. Participation of each CHS positive patient is expected to last 3 months +/- 15 days.
Description and Distribution of CHS patients across clinical characteristics listing
Clinical characteristics of patients with CHS: frequency, type and location of abdominal pain, schedule of vomiting, improved by hot shower or not.
Time frame: Inclusion period will last 12 months and the whole study 15 months. Participation of each CHS positive patient is expected to last 3 months +/- 15 days.
Describe cannabis use in patients with CHS: duration and frequency of use
Time frame: Inclusion period will last 12 months and the whole study 15 months. Participation of each CHS positive patient is expected to last 3 months +/- 15 days.
Describe hospital management and therapies used for patients with CHS: additional tests performed, effectiveness of therapies (analgesics, antiemetics), patient pathway (discharge, short-term hospitalization unit, hospitalization).
Time frame: Inclusion period will last 12 months and the whole study 15 months. Participation of each CHS positive patient is expected to last 3 months +/- 15 days.
Number of cannabis withdrawal attempts at 3 months in patients with CHS
Time frame: 3 months +/- 15 days
Number of patients with recurrence of symptoms (abdominal pain and/or vomiting) at 3 months
Time frame: 3 monts +/- 15 days
Number of patients reporting total cessation of cannabis use at 3 months post-inclusion
Time frame: 3 months +/- 15 days
Number of patients who need to consult again (emergency, general practitioner, other) at 3 months
Time frame: 3 months +/- 15 days
Number of patients reporting a consultation with an addictology referral at 3 months
Time frame: 3 months +/- 15 days
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Started Jul 2025 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Oct 2026, 15 months after the start.
Of 35 non-industry observational studies under Vomiting, half reached primary completion within 33 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 10 and three quarters within 63. This study's planned 15 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 37 studies reached it within 26 months; a quarter within 10 and three quarters within 63.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
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