Illicit Cannabis Usage as a Management Strategy in New Zealand Women with Endometriosis: An Online Survey

Armour et al. ·Journal of Women's Health Impact 1.5

Clear benefit GRADE Low 46 citations

Samplen = 484 Pat.

DurationMay to July 2019

EndpointPain control

Blindingn.a.

DesignKohortenstudie

Key finding

Cannabis was used by 95,5% for pain relief and sleep improvement; 81% reported that pain became 'much better', and 81,4% reduced their regular medications.

Summary

Duplicate: n=484 New Zealand women with endometriosis, online survey on illegal cannabis use; 13% current use, 40% prior use for symptom control; self-reported efficacy for pain reduction in 77% of users, but no objective measurement or control group; descriptive cross-sectional data.

PopulationWomen with self-reported endometriosis diagnosis, n=213, mean age 32 years, 79,8% active cannabis users

InterventionIllicit cannabis (various forms of administration), self-administered for symptom control

Outcome95,5% used cannabis for pain relief and sleep improvement; 81% reported 'much better' pain control, 81,4% reduced regular medication, 59% stopped at least one medication (66% analgesics, 40% opioids)

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

Armour M, Sinclair J, Noller G et al.

DOI 10.1089/jwh.2020.8668↗

Design: Kohortenstudie

Abstract

Background: Endometriosis affects around 10% of women worldwide. Many women with endometriosis struggle with finding adequate pain management, and data from other countries suggest that women use cannabis, either legal or illicit, to help manage their endometriosis symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine use of cannabis where endometriosis was self-identified as a condition that was being treated with cannabis, as well as the impact of cannabis use on the usage on other pharmaceuticals. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of those using cannabis for health-related conditions run between May and July 2019. This article reports on the subset of this larger data set for those reporting they had a diagnosis of endometriosis and/or polycystic ovary syndrome. Data were collected on demographics, modes of cannabis administration, symptoms treated, changes in pharmaceutical usage, and adverse events. Results: Two hundred thirteen valid responses were analyzed. Mean age of respondents was 32 years and 79.8% were current cannabis users. The most common outcomes that cannabis was used for were to improve pain relief (95.5%) and to improve sleep (95.5%). Respondents reported that their symptom was "much better" for pain (81%), sleep (79%), and nausea or vomiting (61%). Over three-quarters (81.4%) indicated cannabis had reduced their normal medication usage. Over half (59%) were able to completely stop a medication, most commonly (66%) analgesics. Opioids (40%) were the most common class of analgesic stopped. Conclusions: Cannabis is reported as an effective intervention for pain and other endometriosis symptoms with potential substitution effects on opioid usage.

The impediment to action advances action. — Marcus Aurelius