TY - JOUR
T1 - A Survey of Cannabis Use in a Large US-Based Cohort of People with Multiple Sclerosis
AU - Salter, Amber
AU - Fox, Robert J.
AU - Cutter, Gary
AU - Marrie, Ruth Ann
AU - Nichol, Kate E.
AU - Steinerman, Joshua R.
AU - Smith, Karry M.J.
N1 - Funding Information:
Reata Pharmaceuticals, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Viela Bio Inc, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (Protocol Review Committee), and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (OPRU Oversight Committee). Dr Marrie receives research funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Research Manitoba, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Multiple Sclerosis Scientific Foundation, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, CMSC, and US Department of Defense and is supported by the Waugh Family Chair in Multiple Sclerosis. Dr Steinerman is an employee at Greenwich Biosciences Inc. Drs Nichol and Smith were employees of Greenwich Biosciences Inc.
Funding Information:
Alchemy Medical Writing Ltd for medical writing and editorial support, which was funded by Greenwich Biosciences Inc. The NARCOMS Registry is a project of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) and the Foundation of the CMSC.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers.
PY - 2021/11
Y1 - 2021/11
N2 - Background: As cannabis products become increasingly accessible across the United States, it is important to understand the contemporary use of cannabis for managing multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms. Methods: We invited participants with MS from the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) Registry (aged 18 years or older) to complete a supplemental survey on cannabis use between March and April 2020. Participants reported cannabis use, treated symptoms, patterns, preferences, methods of use, and the factors limiting use. Findings are reported using descriptive statistics. Results: Of the 6934 participants invited, 3249 responded. Of the respondents, 31% reported having ever used cannabis to treat MS symptoms, with 20% currently using cannabis. The remaining 69% had never used cannabis for MS symptoms, for reasons including not enough data about efficacy (40%) and safety (27%), and concerns about legality (25%) and cost (18%). The most common symptoms current users were attempting to treat were spasticity (80%), pain (69%), and sleep problems (61%). Ever users (vs never users) were more likely to be younger, be non-White, have lower education, reside in the Northeast and West, be unemployed, be younger at symptom onset, be currently smoking, and have higher levels of disability and MS-related symptoms (all P < .001). Conclusions: Despite concerns about insufficient safety and efficacy data, legality, and cost, almost one-third of NARCOMS Registry respondents report having tried nonprescription cannabis products in an attempt to alleviate their symptoms. Given the lack of efficacy and safety data on such products, future research in this area is warranted. Int J MS Care. 2021;23:245-252.
AB - Background: As cannabis products become increasingly accessible across the United States, it is important to understand the contemporary use of cannabis for managing multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms. Methods: We invited participants with MS from the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) Registry (aged 18 years or older) to complete a supplemental survey on cannabis use between March and April 2020. Participants reported cannabis use, treated symptoms, patterns, preferences, methods of use, and the factors limiting use. Findings are reported using descriptive statistics. Results: Of the 6934 participants invited, 3249 responded. Of the respondents, 31% reported having ever used cannabis to treat MS symptoms, with 20% currently using cannabis. The remaining 69% had never used cannabis for MS symptoms, for reasons including not enough data about efficacy (40%) and safety (27%), and concerns about legality (25%) and cost (18%). The most common symptoms current users were attempting to treat were spasticity (80%), pain (69%), and sleep problems (61%). Ever users (vs never users) were more likely to be younger, be non-White, have lower education, reside in the Northeast and West, be unemployed, be younger at symptom onset, be currently smoking, and have higher levels of disability and MS-related symptoms (all P < .001). Conclusions: Despite concerns about insufficient safety and efficacy data, legality, and cost, almost one-third of NARCOMS Registry respondents report having tried nonprescription cannabis products in an attempt to alleviate their symptoms. Given the lack of efficacy and safety data on such products, future research in this area is warranted. Int J MS Care. 2021;23:245-252.
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U2 - 10.7224/1537-2073.2021-036
DO - 10.7224/1537-2073.2021-036
M3 - Article
C2 - 35035295
AN - SCOPUS:85123642723
SN - 1537-2073
VL - 23
SP - 245
EP - 252
JO - International Journal of MS Care
JF - International Journal of MS Care
IS - 6
ER -