Comparing Cannabis Use Across Diagnosed Conditions: Apples and Oranges?

Abstract Although researchers have identified medications that relieve symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), none are entirely effective and some persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) use alternatives. Our study compared cannabis use among PwMS (N=135) and persons diagnosed with arthritis (N=582) or cancer (N=622) who participated in the Illinois medical cannabis program. We tested for significant differences across psychological well-being, quality of life and three behavioral outcomes, and also considered effects of co-occurring prescription opioid use. A majority of all individuals used cannabis to address pain and improve quality of sleep. PwMS reported lower levels of productivity, exercise and social activity, and cannabis was less helpful with improving these particular outcomes. Most persons used cannabis for sleep or digestive problems and we found no differences across groups in terms of well-being and quality of life. This comparative evaluation suggests cannabis mechanisms are not specific as much as they impact common processes.

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Cannabis Use among Older Persons with Arthritis, Cancer and Multiple Sclerosis: Are We Comparing Apples and Oranges?

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11050532 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 532

Author(s):

Brian Kaskie ◽

Hyojung Kang ◽

Divya Bhagianadh ◽

Julie Bobitt

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Older Persons ◽

Behavioral Outcomes ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Medical Cannabis ◽

Opioid Use ◽

Quality Of Sleep ◽

Impact Processes ◽

Lower Baseline

Although researchers have identified medications that relieve symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), none are entirely effective and some persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) use alternatives. Our study compared cannabis use among PwMS (N = 135) and persons diagnosed with arthritis (N = 582) or cancer (N = 622) who were age 60 and older, enrolled in the State of Illinois Medical Cannabis Program, and invited to complete a survey fielded between June and September, 2019. We used logistic regression to identify significant differences in self-reported effects of cannabis on psychological wellbeing, quality of life, and three behavioral outcomes, and we also considered effects of past year opioid use relative to these outcomes. We found that the majority of individuals from all groups used cannabis to address pain and improve quality of sleep. While PwMS reported lower baseline levels across all five outcomes, we found that the reported effects of cannabis were largely comparable across the groups. We also found that cannabis benefitted persons with sleep and digestive issues regardless of condition, whereas persons who used opioids in addition to cannabis were less likely to experience an improvement in any of the outcomes. This comparative evaluation suggests that cannabis’ effects are not specific to MS, arthritis, or cancer as much as they impact processes common among these distinct conditions. We also found evidence that cannabis may be a viable alternative to opioids for those with these conditions and experiencing pain.

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Medical and non‐medical cannabis use and risk of prescription opioid use disorder: Findings from propensity score matching

Drug and Alcohol Review ◽

10.1111/dar.12964 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 38 (6) ◽

pp. 597-605 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Di Liang ◽

Mark S. Wallace ◽

Yuyan Shi

Keyword(s):

Propensity Score ◽

Propensity Score Matching ◽

Opioid Use Disorder ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Prescription Opioid ◽

Medical Cannabis ◽

Opioid Use ◽

Prescription Opioid Use

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The Impact of Preoperative Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Postoperative Patient-Reported Pain, Disability, Quality of Life, and Prescription Opioid Use in Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disease: A Pilot Study

World Neurosurgery ◽

10.1016/j.wneu.2018.09.223 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 121 ◽

pp. e786-e791 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Juneyoung L. Yi ◽

Christina A. Porucznik ◽

Lisa H. Gren ◽

Jian Guan ◽

Evan Joyce ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Stress Reduction ◽

Prescription Opioid ◽

Opioid Use ◽

Postoperative Patient ◽

Pain Disability ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Prescription Opioid Use ◽

The Impact

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Quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients in Spain

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1191/1352458502ms851oa ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 527-531 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

C-H Chang ◽

D Cella ◽

O Fernández ◽

G Luque ◽

P de Castro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Self Report ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Scale Scores ◽

Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Objective: The cross-sectional study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS) Spanish version and its use in measuring quality of life (QOL) of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in Spain. Methods: The FAMS is a factorially derived self-report scale designed to assess six primary aspects of QOL of patients with MS: Mobility, Symptoms, Emotional Well-Being, General Contentment, Thinking and Fatigue, and Family/Social Well-Being. Its Spanish translated version was used to assess QOL of 625 MS patients recruited in an outpatient clinic setting from 58 hospitals in Spain. Internal consistency of the Spanish FAMS was evaluated. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify significant predictors from demographic, clinical and treatment characteristics, and Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores in predicting FAMS scale scores. Results: Most of the patients are females (66%), and 74% were of the relapsing-remitting (RR) clinical subtype. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were high (range=0.78-0.96), indicating subscale homogeneity comparable to that of the original English version. Linear multivariate regression analyses revealed that the EDSS is a dominant variable in predicting all the FAMS subscales, especially mobility (R2=0.51) and the total scores. Conclusions: The Spanish FAMS is a psychometrically valid instrument that allows clinicians and clinical researchers the ability to measure the QOL concerns of MS patients in Spain.

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Health-Related Quality of Life of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Oman – A CrossSectional Study

Oman Medical Journal ◽

10.5001/omj.2021.109 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jansirani Natarajan ◽

Mickael Antoine Joseph ◽

Abdullah Al Asmi ◽

Gerald Amandu Matua ◽

Jaber Al Khabouri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Disease Process ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

The Impact ◽

Disease Specific

Objectives: Multiple sclerosis is a disabling neurological disorder with significant negative effects on patients’ quality of life. Despite the increased prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Arabian Gulf countries in recent years, no study has assessed the impact of multiple sclerosis on the healthrelated quality of life of Omani patients. Therefore, the objectives of the current study was to assess the impact of multiple sclerosis on the health-related quality of life of Omani patients using the validated disease-specific self-administered MusiQoL instrument. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out between April and December 2019 on 177 Omani patients with multiple sclerosis attending two major hospitals in Oman. Patients’ health-related quality of life was assessed using the validated disease-specific self-administered MusiQoL instrument. Results: Majority (51.4%) of the patients had poor HRQOL and 48.6% had moderate HRQOL. We found that being older than 30 years, a female, married, separated, widowed, or divorced, and having visual and sleep problems had poorer health-related quality of life. Among the different health-related quality of life components, relationship with the healthcare system and relationship with family and friends were the most affected because of the disease process. Our results also showed that psychological well-being and coping domains of MusiQoL questionnaires are significantly reduced in females as compared to males. Conclusion: Understanding the health-related quality of life of Omanis with multiple sclerosis provides valuable knowledge that could help optimize the management of this disease.

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Enhancing quality of life in progressive multiple sclerosis with powered robotic exoskeleton

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458520943080 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 135245852094308

Author(s):

Seng Kwee Wee ◽

Chiu Yi Ho ◽

Si Lei Tan ◽

Cheng Hong Ong

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Well Being ◽

Gait Training ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Progressive Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Robotic Exoskeleton ◽

Lower Limb Strength ◽

Training Post

Wearable powered robotic exoskeleton can provide high repetitions and high-intensity gait training. It can promote a sense of well-being when the user is in upright posture to walk around different environment. We present a case of a lady with progressive multiple sclerosis who received 15 sessions of robotic exoskeleton training. Post training, she demonstrated improvement in lower limb strength, sense of well-being and self-esteem that led to improved transfer ability, increased social outings and better quality of life (QOL). Previously, she was depressed and reluctant to go out for social activities. This case suggests the potential of robotic exoskeleton to enhance QOL in people with mobility challenges.

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Cannabis Use and Risk of Prescription Opioid Use Disorder in the United States

American Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.17040413 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 175 (1) ◽

pp. 47-53 ◽

Cited By ~ 76

Author(s):

Mark Olfson ◽

Melanie M. Wall ◽

Shang-Min Liu ◽

Carlos Blanco

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

The United States ◽

Opioid Use Disorder ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

Prescription Opioid ◽

Opioid Use ◽

Prescription Opioid Use

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Can Aerobic Exercise Training Affect Health-Related Quality of Life for People with Multiple Sclerosis?

Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology ◽

10.1123/jsep.23.2.122 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 122-135 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Georgina Sutherland ◽

Mark B. Andersen ◽

Mark A. Stoové

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Bodily Pain ◽

Well Being ◽

Exercise Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) are often advised not to participate in vigorous exercise. Leading a relatively sedentary life, however, may exacerbate the debilitating effects of MS. In this study, 22 people participated in either a no-special-activity group (n = 11) or an experimental group (n = 11) that involved water aerobics three times a week for 10 weeks. Measures taken included scales for health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and psychological well-being. ANCOVAs using social support and the appropriate pretest scores as covariates revealed that after the intervention, the exercise group had more energy and vigor (extremely large effect sizes). Other very large effects were found in the exercise group, which had better social and sexual functioning and less bodily pain and fatigue than the control group. Future research should involve long-term studies to determine whether exercise not only improves quality of life but also helps slow the progression of disease.

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The effect of low-dose naltrexone on quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458510366857 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. 964-969 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Naser Sharafaddinzadeh ◽

Ali Moghtaderi ◽

Davood Kashipazha ◽

Nastaran Majdinasab ◽

Bita Shalbafan

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Low Dose ◽

Therapeutic Option ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Well Being ◽

Secondary Progressive ◽

Relapsing Remitting ◽

Low Dose Naltrexone

Background: Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) may promote psychological well-being as well as generalized health especially in autoimmune disorders. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of LDN on the Quality of Life (QoL) of patients with relapsing—remitting and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) using the scales and composite scores of the MSQoL-54 questionnaire. Methods: A 17-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, crossover-design clinical trial was conducted in two universities. A total of 96 adult patients aged between 15 and 65 years with relapsing—remitting (RR) or secondary progressive (SP) clinically definite MS with disease duration longer than 6 months enrolled into the study. The primary outcome of the study was comparison of the scores of physical and mental health by conducting independent t-test of the results obtained in the middle and at the end of study between the two groups. Results: Variables including presence of pain, energy, emotional well-being, social, cognitive, and sexual functions, role limitation due to physical and emotional problems, health distress, and overall QoL did not show any meaningful statistically difference between the two groups. Factor analysis revealed that health perception scores were statistically different between the groups before starting, in the middle, and at the end of the study. Conclusion: The study clearly illustrates that LDN is a relatively safe therapeutic option in RRMS and SPMS but its efficacy is under question and probably a long duration trial is needed in the future.

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