Cannabinoid use among Americans with MS: Current trends and gaps in knowledge

Tiffany J. Braley; Daniel Whibley; Kevin N Alschuler; Dawn Ehde; Ronald D  Chervin; Daniel J. Clauw; David Williams; Anna L. Kratz

doi:10.1177/2055217320959816

Cannabinoid use among Americans with MS: Current trends and gaps in knowledge

Tiffany J. Braley^* (Corresponding Author), Daniel Whibley, Kevin N Alschuler, Dawn Ehde, Ronald D Chervin, Daniel J. Clauw, David Williams, Anna L. Kratz

^*Corresponding author for this work

Applied Health Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

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Abstract

Background: Up-to-date information regarding the scope and impact of cannabinoid use among persons with MS (PwMS) is necessary to guide clinical practice and cannabinoid research.

Objectives: To assess utilization patterns and perceived impact of cannabinoid use among a national cohort of PwMS.

Methods: Data collected were part of a nationwide survey to characterize pain in PwMS. Items included questions about current/recent cannabinoid use, reasons for use, preferred THC/CBD formulations, and perceived benefits/side effects. PROMIS short-forms assessed symptom severity. Pain phenotype was assessed with the painDETECT questionnaire and FMSurvey Criteria Questionnaires.

Results: Among n = 1,027 respondents, 42% endorsed recent cannabinoid use, of which 18% endorsed healthcare provider guidance regarding use. PROMIS scores (except cognitive abilities), and pain centralization and neuropathic pain scores, were higher among recent/current users (each p < 0.0001). Sleep and pain were the most frequently reported reasons for use. Benefit from cannabinoids for sleep and pain were strongly correlated (r = 0.65, p < 0.0001). For those who expressed a preference for specific THC/CBD ratios, CBD-predominant formulations were favored.

Conclusion: Cannabinoid use is common in PwMS, despite a paucity of provider guidance. The range of perceived benefits, and potential differential effects of THC and CBD, highlight the need for personalized, evidence-based guidelines regarding cannabinoid use.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1-12
Number of pages	12
Journal	Multiple sclerosis journal
Volume	6
Issue number	3
Early online date	22 Sept 2020
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/2055217320959816
Publication status	Published - 2020

Bibliographical note

Acknowledgements:
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) provided participant recruitment support. The Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR:NIH award number UL1TR002240) provided participant recruitment support through UMHealthResearch.org. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH or NMSS. The investigators thank Shubha Kulkarni for her assistance with data collection.

Keywords

Multiple sclerosis
cannabinoids
cannabis
pain
insomnia
sleep disturbance

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Cite this

@article{0b05b374260d45ba860d4c682a02f9a7,

title = "Cannabinoid use among Americans with MS: Current trends and gaps in knowledge",

abstract = "Background: Up-to-date information regarding the scope and impact of cannabinoid use among persons with MS (PwMS) is necessary to guide clinical practice and cannabinoid research.Objectives: To assess utilization patterns and perceived impact of cannabinoid use among a national cohort of PwMS.Methods: Data collected were part of a nationwide survey to characterize pain in PwMS. Items included questions about current/recent cannabinoid use, reasons for use, preferred THC/CBD formulations, and perceived benefits/side effects. PROMIS short-forms assessed symptom severity. Pain phenotype was assessed with the painDETECT questionnaire and FMSurvey Criteria Questionnaires.Results: Among n = 1,027 respondents, 42% endorsed recent cannabinoid use, of which 18% endorsed healthcare provider guidance regarding use. PROMIS scores (except cognitive abilities), and pain centralization and neuropathic pain scores, were higher among recent/current users (each p < 0.0001). Sleep and pain were the most frequently reported reasons for use. Benefit from cannabinoids for sleep and pain were strongly correlated (r = 0.65, p < 0.0001). For those who expressed a preference for specific THC/CBD ratios, CBD-predominant formulations were favored.Conclusion: Cannabinoid use is common in PwMS, despite a paucity of provider guidance. The range of perceived benefits, and potential differential effects of THC and CBD, highlight the need for personalized, evidence-based guidelines regarding cannabinoid use.",

keywords = "Multiple sclerosis, cannabinoids, cannabis, pain, insomnia, sleep disturbance",

author = "Braley, {Tiffany J.} and Daniel Whibley and Alschuler, {Kevin N} and Dawn Ehde and Chervin, {Ronald D} and Clauw, {Daniel J.} and David Williams and Kratz, {Anna L.}",

note = "Acknowledgements: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) provided participant recruitment support. The Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR:NIH award number UL1TR002240) provided participant recruitment support through UMHealthResearch.org. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH or NMSS. The investigators thank Shubha Kulkarni for her assistance with data collection.",

year = "2020",

doi = "10.1177/2055217320959816",

language = "English",

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T1 - Cannabinoid use among Americans with MS

T2 - Current trends and gaps in knowledge

AU - Braley, Tiffany J.

AU - Whibley, Daniel

AU - Alschuler, Kevin N

AU - Ehde, Dawn

AU - Chervin, Ronald D

AU - Clauw, Daniel J.

AU - Williams, David

AU - Kratz, Anna L.

N1 - Acknowledgements: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) provided participant recruitment support. The Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR:NIH award number UL1TR002240) provided participant recruitment support through UMHealthResearch.org. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH or NMSS. The investigators thank Shubha Kulkarni for her assistance with data collection.

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - Background: Up-to-date information regarding the scope and impact of cannabinoid use among persons with MS (PwMS) is necessary to guide clinical practice and cannabinoid research.Objectives: To assess utilization patterns and perceived impact of cannabinoid use among a national cohort of PwMS.Methods: Data collected were part of a nationwide survey to characterize pain in PwMS. Items included questions about current/recent cannabinoid use, reasons for use, preferred THC/CBD formulations, and perceived benefits/side effects. PROMIS short-forms assessed symptom severity. Pain phenotype was assessed with the painDETECT questionnaire and FMSurvey Criteria Questionnaires.Results: Among n = 1,027 respondents, 42% endorsed recent cannabinoid use, of which 18% endorsed healthcare provider guidance regarding use. PROMIS scores (except cognitive abilities), and pain centralization and neuropathic pain scores, were higher among recent/current users (each p < 0.0001). Sleep and pain were the most frequently reported reasons for use. Benefit from cannabinoids for sleep and pain were strongly correlated (r = 0.65, p < 0.0001). For those who expressed a preference for specific THC/CBD ratios, CBD-predominant formulations were favored.Conclusion: Cannabinoid use is common in PwMS, despite a paucity of provider guidance. The range of perceived benefits, and potential differential effects of THC and CBD, highlight the need for personalized, evidence-based guidelines regarding cannabinoid use.

AB - Background: Up-to-date information regarding the scope and impact of cannabinoid use among persons with MS (PwMS) is necessary to guide clinical practice and cannabinoid research.Objectives: To assess utilization patterns and perceived impact of cannabinoid use among a national cohort of PwMS.Methods: Data collected were part of a nationwide survey to characterize pain in PwMS. Items included questions about current/recent cannabinoid use, reasons for use, preferred THC/CBD formulations, and perceived benefits/side effects. PROMIS short-forms assessed symptom severity. Pain phenotype was assessed with the painDETECT questionnaire and FMSurvey Criteria Questionnaires.Results: Among n = 1,027 respondents, 42% endorsed recent cannabinoid use, of which 18% endorsed healthcare provider guidance regarding use. PROMIS scores (except cognitive abilities), and pain centralization and neuropathic pain scores, were higher among recent/current users (each p < 0.0001). Sleep and pain were the most frequently reported reasons for use. Benefit from cannabinoids for sleep and pain were strongly correlated (r = 0.65, p < 0.0001). For those who expressed a preference for specific THC/CBD ratios, CBD-predominant formulations were favored.Conclusion: Cannabinoid use is common in PwMS, despite a paucity of provider guidance. The range of perceived benefits, and potential differential effects of THC and CBD, highlight the need for personalized, evidence-based guidelines regarding cannabinoid use.

KW - Multiple sclerosis

KW - cannabinoids

KW - cannabis

KW - pain

KW - insomnia

KW - sleep disturbance

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DO - 10.1177/2055217320959816

M3 - Article

C2 - 33014410

SN - 1352-4585

VL - 6

SP - 1

EP - 12

JO - Multiple sclerosis journal

JF - Multiple sclerosis journal

IS - 3

ER -

Cannabinoid use among Americans with MS: Current trends and gaps in knowledge

Abstract

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Keywords

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