This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (5) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Chong, M S Articles by Silber, E Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Chong, M S Articles by Silber, E Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Cannabis use in patients with multiple sclerosis

Department of Neurology, Kings College Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK, The Medway Hospital NHS Trust, Gillingham, UK

K Wolff

National Addictions Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK

K Wise

National Addictions Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK

C Tanton

The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK

A Winstock

National Addictions Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK

E Silber

Department of Neurology, Kings College Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK, esilber{at}doctors.org.uk

Introduction Little is known about the extent and patterns of cannabis use in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods MS patients attending neurology outpatient clinics at two hospitals in London and one in Kent, UK completed a questionnaire.

Results Questionnaires were completed by 254/337 (75%) MS patients. Forty-three per cent had used cannabis at some stage (ever users). Of these, 68% (75/110) had used cannabis to alleviate symptoms of MS (MS-related cannabis use). Forty-six (18%) had used cannabis in the last month (current users), of whom 12% (31/254) had used it for symptom relief. Being married or having a long-term partner, tobacco smokers and increasing disability were independent risk factors for MS-related cannabis use. Compared to patients who could walk unaided, cannabis use was more likely in those who were chair-bound (adjusted OR 2.47; 1.10-5.56) or only able to walk with an aid (adjusted OR 1.56; 0.90- 3.60). Pain and spasms were common reasons for cannabis use. Seventy-one per cent of individuals who had never used cannabis said they would try the drug if it were available on prescription.

Conclusion A large proportion of MS patients had tried cannabis for symptom control, however current use was small. A subgroup with greater disability appears to derive some symptomatic benefit.

Key Words: addiction • cannabis • multiple sclerosis • pain • spasticity

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?