Posted on 03/11/2016 9:43:58 AM PST by ConservingFreedom
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The objective this prospective, open-label study was to determine the long-term effect of medicinal cannabis treatment on pain and functional outcomes in subjects with treatment-resistant chronic pain.
METHODS: The primary outcome was change in pain symptom score on the S-TOPS (Treatment Outcomes in Pain Survey - Short Form) questionnaire at 6 months follow-up in intent-to-treat (ITT) population. The secondary outcomes included change in S-TOPS physical, social and emotional disability scales, pain severity and pain interference on brief pain inventory (BPI), sleep problems, and change in opioid consumption.
RESULTS: 274 subjects were approved for treatment; complete baseline data were available for 206 (ITT), and complete follow-up data for 176 subjects. At follow-up, pain symptom score improved from median 83.3 (95% CI 79.2-87.5) to 75.0 (95% CI 70.8-79.2), P<0.001. Pain severity score (7.50 [95% CI 6.75-7.75] to 6.25 [95% CI 5.75-6.75] and pain interference score (8.14 [95% CI 7.28-8.43] to 6.71 [95% CI 6.14-7.14]) improved (both P<0.001), together with most social and emotional disability scores. Opioid consumption at follow-up decreased by 44% (P<0.001). Serious adverse effects led to treatment discontinuation in two subjects.
DISCUSSION: The treatment of chronic pain with medicinal cannabis in this open-label, prospective cohort resulted in improved pain and functional outcomes, and significant reduction in opioid use. The results suggest long-term benefit of cannabis treatment in this group of patients, but the study's non-controlled nature should be considered when extrapolating the results.
Author information
*Pain Relief Unit, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel †Division of Clinical and Translational Research, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA ‡Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel §Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel.
Don’t bogart that joint my friend..........
Wait ... what?
"improved pain and functional outcomes, and significant reduction in opioid use. The results suggest long-term benefit of cannabis treatment in this group of patients".
Ping!
If sucking on a pot pop will helps people with chronic pain, I’m for it.
The ignoring and even castigation of marijuana as a potential treatment for end-stage diseases was a travesty. It still carries an undeserved stigma because of abuse.
Me too. The pharmaceuticals aren’t for it, nor is the drug cartel.
I recently went through a several week period of incredible pain.
I was in so much pain that I couldn’t hold the pain at bay and hold a fork to eat at the same time. I had to be fed, lying on the floor with my feet on a chair.
No doctor prescribed medication could knock it down.
They finally were able to do surgery and I’m now nearly recovered, but out of sheer desperation I was ready for a try with marijuana.
Amen!
So, I only need to find a doc who was a 60s-70s hippie, say I hurt and get my scrip so I can smoke my way to oblivion?
Cool!
But seriously, I can see the need to smoke it for cancer patients who need the appetite stimulation along with the relief from nausea, but others could use a THC pill or liquid instead of lighting up. The ones who object to that form are suspect; pothead hippies with a scrip.
According to some sources, marijuana taken in pill form is more effective for pain relief than smoking.
I was in so much pain that I couldn’t hold the pain at bay and hold a fork to eat at the same time. I had to be fed, lying on the floor with my feet on a chair.
No doctor prescribed medication could knock it down.
They finally were able to do surgery and I’m now nearly recovered, but out of sheer desperation I was ready for a try with marijuana.
Glad to hear you're on the mend! Marijuana should definitely be a legal option for people in situations like yours.
Where did you get your medical degree?
Just curious.
L
Or maybe they don't want to wait 2 to 4 hours for their pain relief (http://www.nap.edu/read/6376/chapter/7#203).
I am for legalization to get pharma out of the anxity game..God given plant should be legal to grow and folks can be more independent..
The pharmaceuticals aren’t for it, nor is the drug cartel
hit it right on the nose...and even with some proof.. some folks still think that pain pills are the way to go...hope them folks never met chronic pain
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