Patterns of Medical Cannabis Use among Patients Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis

• Published in: Multiple sclerosis and related disorders 2021-05, Vol.50, p.102830-102830, Article 102830
• Main Authors: Guarnaccia, J.B., Khan, A., Ayettey, R., Treu, J.A., Comerford, B., Njike, V.Y.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cannabis; Humans; Medical Marijuana - therapeutic use; Multiple Sclerosis - complications; Multiple Sclerosis - diagnosis; Multiple Sclerosis - drug therapy; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 2211-0348; 2211-0356
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.102830

•Medical marijuana used by persons with multiple sclerosis (PWMS) to treat a broad range of neurological symptoms•Reports of the benefit of medical marijuana to treat MS symptoms is positively associated with the severity of those symptoms•Greatest symptom benefit is reported by individuals with milder disability versus more moderate disability•The use of medical marijuana is associated with reduction or discontinuation of prescription medications for symptoms, including controlled substances To survey the pattern and benefits of medical cannabis use (MCU) in a cross section of persons with multiple sclerosis (PWMS). One hundred and fifteen subjects completed a 36-question survey online or on paper which queried aspects of their use of cannabis, including frequency of use, effect on symptoms, and changes in their use of prescription medications, as well asa number of key demographic variables such as age, gender, disease duration and clinical course, etc. All subjects were treated at a multiple sclerosis (MS) clinic in Connecticut and enrolled in the Connecticut Medical Marijuana Program (CTMMP). Self-reported benefit from cannabis use for two or more symptoms of MS was associated with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) vs progressive (PMS) (OR 3.043, 95% CI 1.026-9.028, p=0.038) and less benefit for two or more symptoms for those who required a wheelchair vs. those who ambulated without assistance (OR .246, 95% CI .195-.797, p=0.016). General benefit from cannabis use was reported for mood disorders (p