A study published in The Cureus Journal of Medical Science highlights the potential benefits of cannabinoid use for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
Conducted by researchers from Concentra Urgent Care (Orlando), the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, the study explored patient-reported outcomes related to cannabinoid use.
The cross-sectional study surveyed 290 patients at a rheumatology outpatient clinic between October 2019 and March 2020. Among participants, 84.9% were diagnosed with RA, while 15.1% had PsA. Most respondents (82.3%) were female, with an average age of 57.1 for RA patients and 56.2 for those with PsA. The survey revealed that 16.95% of RA patients and 11.63% of PsA patients reported using cannabinoids, primarily through inhalation for RA and topical or liquid forms for PsA.
Participants reported significant improvements in pain, stiffness, fatigue, and swelling after cannabinoid use. Pain scores decreased notably, with a mean difference of 2.267 (p < 0.001). Minimal side effects were reported, and a majority of patients expressed willingness to discuss cannabinoid treatments with their physicians.
“In conclusion, our study indicates that a notable portion of the patients with inflammatory arthritis including RA and PsA reported a history of use or ongoing cannabinoid use”, concludes the study. “Furthermore, the patients reported a short-term reduction of pain, fatigue, and swelling, though it is unclear if these findings are related to a placebo effect.”
For the full study, click here.
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