Cannabis-based medicines and medical cannabis for patients with neuropathic pain and other pain disorders: Nationwide register-based pharmacoepidemiologic comparison with propensity score matched controls
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Cannabis-based medicines and medical cannabis for patients with neuropathic pain and other pain disorders : Nationwide register-based pharmacoepidemiologic comparison with propensity score matched controls. / Hjorthoj, Carsten; La Cour, Peter; Nordentoft, Merete; Posselt, Christine Merrild.
I: European Journal of Pain Supplements, Bind 26, Nr. 2, 2022, s. 480-491.Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › fagfællebedømt
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Cannabis-based medicines and medical cannabis for patients with neuropathic pain and other pain disorders
T2 - Nationwide register-based pharmacoepidemiologic comparison with propensity score matched controls
AU - Hjorthoj, Carsten
AU - La Cour, Peter
AU - Nordentoft, Merete
AU - Posselt, Christine Merrild
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - BackgroundNeuropathic pain and other pain disorders have received attention as potential indications for use of cannabis-based medicines or medical cannabis (CBM/MC). Evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of CBM/MC for pain disorders is, however, insufficient. Denmark introduced a pilot programme of medical cannabis in January 2018. We aimed to evaluate efficacy, safety, and non-specific effects of CBM/MC used under the pilot programme compared with controls.MethodsWe conducted a nationwide register-based cohort study in Denmark, identifying all individuals redeeming at least one prescription for CBM/MC for either neuropathic pain (n = 1817) or other and unspecified pain disorders (n = 924), and to match one control to each case using propensity score matching.ResultsAmong both patient groups, users of THC used more opioids during follow-up than controls. Among patients with neuropathic pain, however, users of either CBD, THC, or combined CBD + THC used less gabapentin than controls. Users of all three classes of CBM/MC were hospitalized fewer days than controls among neuropathic-pain patients but not among patients with other or unspecified pain disorders.ConclusionsCBM/MC were generally safe and even displayed some positive effects among patients with neuropathic pain. We conclude that CBM/MC are safe and possibly efficacious for patients with neuropathic pain but not patients with other pain disorders.SignificancePatients with neuropathic pain may benefit from treatment with cannabis-based medicines or medical cannabis (CBM/MC), particularly in terms of reduced use of gabapentin and fewer days admitted to hospitals, compared with propensity score matched controls. CBM/MC did not, however, reduce the use of opioids. We did not find evidence that CBM/MC were effective for patients with other pain disorders.
AB - BackgroundNeuropathic pain and other pain disorders have received attention as potential indications for use of cannabis-based medicines or medical cannabis (CBM/MC). Evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of CBM/MC for pain disorders is, however, insufficient. Denmark introduced a pilot programme of medical cannabis in January 2018. We aimed to evaluate efficacy, safety, and non-specific effects of CBM/MC used under the pilot programme compared with controls.MethodsWe conducted a nationwide register-based cohort study in Denmark, identifying all individuals redeeming at least one prescription for CBM/MC for either neuropathic pain (n = 1817) or other and unspecified pain disorders (n = 924), and to match one control to each case using propensity score matching.ResultsAmong both patient groups, users of THC used more opioids during follow-up than controls. Among patients with neuropathic pain, however, users of either CBD, THC, or combined CBD + THC used less gabapentin than controls. Users of all three classes of CBM/MC were hospitalized fewer days than controls among neuropathic-pain patients but not among patients with other or unspecified pain disorders.ConclusionsCBM/MC were generally safe and even displayed some positive effects among patients with neuropathic pain. We conclude that CBM/MC are safe and possibly efficacious for patients with neuropathic pain but not patients with other pain disorders.SignificancePatients with neuropathic pain may benefit from treatment with cannabis-based medicines or medical cannabis (CBM/MC), particularly in terms of reduced use of gabapentin and fewer days admitted to hospitals, compared with propensity score matched controls. CBM/MC did not, however, reduce the use of opioids. We did not find evidence that CBM/MC were effective for patients with other pain disorders.
U2 - 10.1002/ejp.1874
DO - 10.1002/ejp.1874
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 34624164
VL - 26
SP - 480
EP - 491
JO - European Journal of Pain Supplements
JF - European Journal of Pain Supplements
SN - 1754-3207
IS - 2
ER -
ID: 282525695