Study register · detail
Clear benefit
GRADE
Low
3 citations
Samplen = 269 Pat.
Duration18 months
EndpointIES-R
Blindingn.a.
DesignKohortenstudie
Key finding
Significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, anxiety, sleep quality and general quality of life at all follow-up time points up to 18 months (p < 0,001).
Summary
UK Medical Cannabis Registry, n=269 PTSD patients over 18 months. Significant improvements in IES-R (PTSD symptoms), GAD-7 (anxiety), SQS (sleep quality) and EQ-5D-5L (quality of life) at all follow-up time points (p<0.001). Male sex associated with reduced chance of IES-R improvement (OR=0.51, 95% CI 0.28–0.94, p=0.034). Adverse events in 70 patients (26.02%), most common: insomnia (15.61%), fatigue (14.87%).
P
PopulationPTSD patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry (≥18 months), n=269
I
InterventionCannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs), prescription-only, long-term use
O
OutcomeSignificant improvements in PTSD symptoms (IES-R), anxiety (GAD-7), sleep quality (SQS) and HRQoL (EQ-5D-5L) at all follow-up time points (p<0,001); male sex associated with lower likelihood of IES-R improvement (OR=0,51; 95%-CI: 0,28–0,94; p=0,034)
Confidence in the evidence
Low
The second of four GRADE levels, the effect estimate is of limited reliability.
Quality profile
Sample size
★★★★★
Blinding
—
Effect size
Clear benefit
Citations / year
★★★★★
Authors
Share
Abstract
Background: Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) are a potential treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but their long-term efficacy and safety need further investigation. This study assessed the changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and adverse events in PTSD patients prescribed CBMPs.
Research Design And Methods: This observational cohort study included PTSD patients enrolled on the UK Medical Cannabis Registry for 18 months or longer. Changes in PTSD-specific symptoms (IES-R), anxiety (GAD-7), sleep quality (SQS), and general HRQoL (EQ-5D-5 L) were assessed at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months.
Results: In 269 patients, significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, anxiety, sleep quality, and HRQoL were observed at all follow-up points (p < 0.001). On multivariate logistic regression, male gender (OR = 0.51; 95% CI:0.28-0.94; p = 0.034) was associated with a reduced chance of reporting improvements in IES-R. Adverse events were reported by 70 (26.02%) patients, with insomnia (n = 42, 15.61%) and fatigue (n = 40, 14.87%) being the most common.
Conclusions: CBMPs were associated with improvements in PTSD symptoms, anxiety, sleep, and HRQoL at up to 18 months. Although the study's observational nature limits causal conclusions, these findings support further assessment of medical cannabis.
Trial Registration: This is an observational study and is not registered as a clinical trial.
The impediment to action advances action.