Observational studyEuropean spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society2024
Cannabis use by individuals with spinal cord injury in the UK: a call for improved patient education and physician awareness for pain and spasticity management.
Observational study in European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
STUDY
designProspective observational qualitative study.
objectiveCannabis is used by patients for the treatment of chronic pain, spasticity, sleep issues or mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Since 2018, it has been authorised in the United Kingdom for medical use as an unlicensed medicine. This study aims to determine if patients are using cannabis for the management of symptoms related to spinal cord injury, and if so, whether they are using medical or illicit cannabis.
methodsSpinal cord injury patients from the Yorkshire Regional Spinal Injuries Centre and SPINE Community in the United Kingdom were surveyed. Participants were sent a 7-point electronic survey. All results were anonymous, and confidentiality was maintained throughout the process.
resultsIn total, 223 patients completed the survey. Not all patients answered every question. Of those who responded 65.35% (n = 132) were paraplegic and 34.65% (n = 70) were tetraplegic. Patients were suffering from chronic pain (longer than 3 months), spasticity, loss of/difficulty in sleeping or anxiety/depression. Almost 15% (14.93%, n = 33 out of 221) used cannabis to manage their symptoms, out of those the majority used street cannabis (79.41%, n = 27 out of 34) were using street cannabis.
conclusionThis study demonstrates that there are spinal cord injury patients in the UK using cannabis to treat their symptoms. A majority appear to be using illicit cannabis. Given that cannabis can interact with other medications, and that the quality and content of illicit cannabis can be highly variable and at times dangerous, it is important for physicians to discuss cannabis use with their patients. This can inform prescribing and allow them to educate patients on the dangers of medical cannabis and potential alternatives.
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