Study register · detailReal-World-Register (Beobachtungsstudie, mobile App) · Chronic Pain · 2019
The Association between Cannabis Product Characteristics and Symptom Relief
Stith et al.·Scientific ReportsImpact 4.4
No direction reportedGRADELow67 citations
Samplen = 3.341 Pat.
DesignReal-World-Register (Beobachtungsstudie, mobile App)
Cannabinoidvollspektrum
”Key finding
On average, symptoms improved by 3,5 points on an 11-point scale; higher THC contents were associated with stronger relief but also more side effects, while CBD content showed no clear effect.
Summary
n=3.341 medical cannabis patients, 19.910 self-administration sessions (ReleafApp); average symptom improvement 3,5 points (SD=2,6) on an 11-point scale; higher THC content independently associated with greater symptom relief (p<0.05); dried cannabis flower most common product form with greatest symptom reduction; CBD potency not significantly associated.
P
PopulationAdult cannabis patients with various symptoms, n=3.341, total of 19.910 self-administration sessions
I
InterventionVarious cannabis products (flowers, concentrates, edibles, tinctures, topicals) with variable THC and CBD contents, various forms of application (joint, pipe, vaporizer)
O
OutcomeAverage symptom improvement 3,5 points (SD=2,6) on 11-point scale; higher THC contents associated with greater symptom relief (p<0,05); CBD content not significantly associated with symptom change
Confidence in the evidence
Very lowLowModerateHigh
Low
The second of four GRADE levels, the effect estimate is of limited reliability.
Design: Real-World-Register (Beobachtungsstudie, mobile App)
Share
Abstract
Federal barriers and logistical challenges have hindered measurement of the real time effects from the types of cannabis products used medically by millions of patients in vivo. Between 06/06/2016 and 03/05/2018, 3,341 people completed 19,910 self- administrated cannabis sessions using the mobile device software, ReleafApp to record: type of cannabis product (dried whole natural Cannabis flower, concentrate, edible, tincture, topical), combustion method (joint, pipe, vaporization), Cannabis subspecies (C. indica and C. sativa), and major cannabinoid contents (tetrahydrocannabinol, THC; and cannabidiol, CBD), along with real-time ratings of health symptom severity levels, prior-to and immediately following administration, and reported side effects. A fixed effects panel regression approach was used to model the within-user effects of different product characteristics. Patients showed an average symptom improvement of 3.5 (SD = 2.6) on an 11-point scale across the 27 measured symptom categories. Dried flower was the most commonly used product and generally associated with greater symptom relief than other types of products. Across product characteristics, only higher THC levels were independently associated with greater symptom relief and prevalence of positive and negative side effects. In contrast, CBD potency levels were generally not associated with significant symptom changes or experienced side effects.