Study register · detailQuerschnittsstudie (Online-Survey) · Chronic Pain · 2016
A Cross-Sectional Survey of Medical Cannabis Users: Patterns of Use and Perceived Efficacy
Sexton et al.·Cannabis and Cannabinoid ResearchImpact 2.5
MixedGRADELow342 citations
Samplen = 1.429 Pat.
EndpointSelf-reported symptom…
Blindingn.a.
DesignQuerschnittsstudie (Online-Survey)
”Key finding
Users subjectively report strong symptom relief, however medical supervision and scientific evidence for many reported indications are lacking.
Summary
Cross-sectional survey n=1.429 medical cannabis users in Washington State; 61,2% used cannabis primarily for pain; average 86% symptom reduction (self-reported); 59,8% used cannabis as a substitute for pharmaceuticals (no control arm, purely observational).
P
PopulationMedical cannabis users, n=1429, recruited via social media and dispensaries in Washington State
OutcomeSelf-reported mean symptom reduction of 86%; 59,8% used cannabis as a substitute for prescription medications; most common indications: pain (61,2%), anxiety disorders (58,1%), depression (50,3%)
Confidence in the evidence
Very lowLowModerateHigh
Low
The second of four GRADE levels, the effect estimate is of limited reliability.
<b>Background:</b> The political climate around Cannabis as a medicine is rapidly changing. Legislators are adopting policies regarding appropriate medical applications, while the paucity of research may make policy decisions around conditions for which Cannabis is an effective medicine difficult. <b>Methods:</b> An anonymous online survey was developed to query medical Cannabis users about the conditions they use Cannabis to treat, their use patterns, perception of efficacy, and physical and mental health. Participants were recruited through social media and Cannabis dispensaries in Washington State. <b>Results:</b> A total of 1429 participants identified as medical Cannabis users. The most frequently reported conditions for which they used Cannabis were pain (61.2%), anxiety (58.1%), depression (50.3%), headache/migraine (35.5%), nausea (27.4%), and muscle spasticity (18.4%). On average, participants reported an 86% reduction in symptoms as a result of Cannabis use; 59.8% of medical users reported using Cannabis as an alternative to pharmaceutical prescriptions. Global health scores were on par with the general population for mental health and physical health. <b>Conclusions:</b> While patient-reported outcomes favor strong efficacy for a broad range of symptoms, many medical users are using Cannabis without physician supervision and for conditions for which there is no formal research to support the use of Cannabis (e.g., depression and anxiety). Future research and public policy should attempt to reduce the incongruence between approved and actual use.