Prolonged Medical Cannabis Treatment is Associated With Quality of Life Improvement and Reduction of Analgesic Medication Consumption in Chronic Pain Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is one of the most prevalent indications for medical cannabis (MC) treatment globally. In this study, we investigated CNCP parameters in patients during prolonged MC treatment, and assessed the interrelation between CNCP parameters and the chemical composition of MC chemovar used.Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed in one-month intervals for the duration of six months. Subjects were adult patients licensed for MC treatment who also reported a diagnosis of CNCP by a physician. Data included self-reported questionnaires. MC treatment features included administration route, cultivator, cultivar name and monthly dose. Comparison statistics were used to evaluate differences between the abovementioned parameters and the monthly MC chemovar doses at each time point.Results: 429, 150, 98, 71, 77 and 82 patients reported fully on their MC treatment regimens at six one-month intervals, respectively. Although pain intensities did not change during the study period, analgesic medication consumption rates decreased from 46 to 28% (p < 0.005) and good Quality of Life (QoL) rates increased from 49 to 62% (p < 0.05). These changes overlapped with increase in rates of (-)-Δ9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and α-pinene high dose consumption.Conclusion: Even though we observed that pain intensities did not improve during the study, QoL did improve and the rate of analgesic medication consumption decreased alongside with increasing rates of high dose THC and α-pinene consumption. Understanding MC treatment composition may shed light on its long-term effects.

Sex differences in medical cannabis-related adverse effects

“…Although 86% reported on at least 1 AE, the most frequent AEs were gastrointestinal (70%), central nervous system (60%), psychological (45%), ophthalmic (34%), musculoskeletal (31%), and cardiovascular (10%) and were also stable during the follow-up. 2 However, we did not investigate whether these considerable rates of AEs could be explained by sex differences. Thus, in the current study, using the same database, we attempted to examine whether there are sex differences in MC-related rates of AEs and whether such differences are associated with the chemical composition of the MC treatment.…”

The Effectiveness and Safety of Medical Cannabis for Treating Cancer Related Symptoms in Oncology Patients

“…Similar long-term safety was previously demonstrated in cancer patients ( 67 ). It is plausible that THC dose increase in the current study was not associated with elevation of AEs rates because it is unrelated or that patients that started consuming MC products with higher THC concentration are those less susceptible to its effects, as was demonstrated in a study on the sex differences of MC related AEs ( 68 ). Nonetheless, we found that THC monthly dose increased significantly in the 6 months of MC treatment from a Median (IQR) of 2,000 mg (1,000–3,000) to 3,000 mg (2,000–4,000).…”

“…Patients in the sample were on average 64 ( 49 – 68 ) years old and the majority (59% n = 192) were females. Previous exposure to cannabis was reported by 20% ( n = 65) ( Table 1 ).…”

Long-term effectiveness and safety of medical cannabis administered through the metered-dose Syqe Inhaler

“… 17 Hence, administration of MC with conventional administration routes may result in overdosing or AEs even after a prolonged duration of treatment. 3 …”