Meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis of the prevalence of depressive disorders associated with Cannabis use

• Grant number: 23/14290-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2024
• End date: January 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: João Mauricio Castaldelli Maia
• Grantee: João Pini Alemar
• Host Institution: Centro Universitário FMABC (FMABC). Santo André , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: depressive disorders are amongst the most common psychiatric disorders in the world, and cannabis is the third most consumed drug in the world, only behind alcohol and tobacco. Thereby, both Depressive Disorders (DDs) and Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) have epidemiological and health relevance, not only to the patients, but also to the society. There is a growing body of evidence that points to a co-occurrence between cannabis use and depression, nonetheless there are still a small number of studies regarding this association and its prevalence.Objectives: to calculate the percentage of individuals with Cannabis Use Disorder who have a comorbid diagnose of Depressive Disorders.Methods: the following keywords will be searched in the PubMed, SciELO and Google Scholar databases: ((abuse, cannabis[MeSH Terms]) OR (cannabis dependence[MeSH Terms])) AND (depressive disorder[MeSH Terms]). Original articles published in Portuguese and English will be included in this review. The PRISMA statement and the MOOSE guidelines will be used to collect the data. A heterogeneity test and the "leave-one-out meta-analysis" method will be applied for data analysis. For the meta-regression, the Egger's regression test will be applied.Expected results: a considerable rate of association between cannabis consumption and depression is expected - whether causally or not -, in such way that diagnostic investigation and the treatment of comorbid disorders must be considered relevant, both in patients with DDs and in patients with CUD.