Cannabis use in persons with traumatic spinal cord injury in Denmark
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Cannabis use in persons with traumatic spinal cord injury in Denmark. / Andresen, Sven R; Biering-Sørensen, Fin; Hagen, Ellen Merete; Nielsen, Jørgen F; Bach, Flemming W; Finnerup, Nanna B.
In: Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, Vol. 49, No. 2, 2017, p. 152-160.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Cannabis use in persons with traumatic spinal cord injury in Denmark
AU - Andresen, Sven R
AU - Biering-Sørensen, Fin
AU - Hagen, Ellen Merete
AU - Nielsen, Jørgen F
AU - Bach, Flemming W
AU - Finnerup, Nanna B
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate recreational and medical cannabis use in individuals with traumatic spinal cord injury, including reasons and predictors for use, perceived benefits and negative consequences.DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey in Denmark.METHODS: A 35-item questionnaire was sent to 1,101 patients with spinal cord injury who had been in contact with a rehabilitation centre between 1990 and 2012.RESULTS: A total of 537 participants completed the questionnaire. Of these, 36% had tried cannabis at least once and 9% were current users. Of current users, 79% had started to use cannabis before their spinal cord injury. The main reason for use was pleasure, but 65% used cannabis partly for spinal cord injury-related consequences and 59% reported at least good effect on pain and spasticity. Negative consequences of use were primarily inertia and feeling quiet/subdued. Lower age, living in rural areas/larger cities, tobacco-smoking, high alcohol intake and higher muscle stiffness were significantly associated with cannabis use. Those who had never tried cannabis reported that they would mainly use cannabis to alleviate pain and spasticity if it were legalized.CONCLUSION: Cannabis use is more frequent among individuals with spinal cord injury in Denmark than among the general population. High muscle stiffness and various demographic characteristics (lower age, living in rural areas/larger cities, tobacco-smoking and high alcohol intake) were associated with cannabis use. Most participants had started using cannabis before their spinal cord injury. There was considerable overlap between recreational and disability-related use.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate recreational and medical cannabis use in individuals with traumatic spinal cord injury, including reasons and predictors for use, perceived benefits and negative consequences.DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey in Denmark.METHODS: A 35-item questionnaire was sent to 1,101 patients with spinal cord injury who had been in contact with a rehabilitation centre between 1990 and 2012.RESULTS: A total of 537 participants completed the questionnaire. Of these, 36% had tried cannabis at least once and 9% were current users. Of current users, 79% had started to use cannabis before their spinal cord injury. The main reason for use was pleasure, but 65% used cannabis partly for spinal cord injury-related consequences and 59% reported at least good effect on pain and spasticity. Negative consequences of use were primarily inertia and feeling quiet/subdued. Lower age, living in rural areas/larger cities, tobacco-smoking, high alcohol intake and higher muscle stiffness were significantly associated with cannabis use. Those who had never tried cannabis reported that they would mainly use cannabis to alleviate pain and spasticity if it were legalized.CONCLUSION: Cannabis use is more frequent among individuals with spinal cord injury in Denmark than among the general population. High muscle stiffness and various demographic characteristics (lower age, living in rural areas/larger cities, tobacco-smoking and high alcohol intake) were associated with cannabis use. Most participants had started using cannabis before their spinal cord injury. There was considerable overlap between recreational and disability-related use.
KW - Adolescent
KW - Adult
KW - Aged
KW - Aged, 80 and over
KW - Cannabis/chemistry
KW - Cross-Sectional Studies
KW - Denmark
KW - Female
KW - Humans
KW - Male
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Pain/drug therapy
KW - Spinal Cord Injuries/drug therapy
KW - Surveys and Questionnaires
KW - Young Adult
U2 - 10.2340/16501977-2105
DO - 10.2340/16501977-2105
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 28101559
VL - 49
SP - 152
EP - 160
JO - Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
JF - Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
SN - 1650-1977
IS - 2
ER -
ID: 195222526