Journal article
Discontinuation rates and predictors of Medical Cannabis cessation for chronic musculoskeletal pain
PloS one, v 20(8), pe0329897
07 Aug 2025
PMID: 40773423
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Medical cannabis (MC) is increasingly used as a treatment for chronic musculoskeletal pain, but there is limited data on factors influencing its discontinuation. This study aims to investigate the rates of MC discontinuation and explore factors influencing it in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 78 patients certified for medical cannabis over a 2 year period. Patient demographics, pain origin, and Global Physical Health (GPH) and Global Mental Health (GMH) scores were collected before intervention. Discontinuation rates were measured at three-month and one-year follow-up. Statistical analyses, including Fisher's Exact Test and two-sample t-tests, were performed to assess associations between variables and discontinuation. The overall discontinuation rate of MC use was 57.9% at one year, with 44.7% of patients discontinuing within the first three months. Older age was significantly associated with higher discontinuation rates. Pain origin categories did not significantly differ between those who discontinued and continued MC use, although a higher proportion of patients in the discontinued group reported low back pain. No significant differences were observed in baseline GPH and GMH scores between the two groups. This study demonstrates a high discontinuation rate of MC use in patients for chronic musculoskeletal pain. The absence of significant differences in pain origin or baseline health scores suggests that factors beyond pain location or general health may contribute to the decision to discontinue MC. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of MC on pain management and patient outcomes.
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Details
- Title
- Discontinuation rates and predictors of Medical Cannabis cessation for chronic musculoskeletal pain
- Creators
- Mohammad Khak - Rothman InstituteSina Ramtin - Rothman InstituteJuliet Chung - Rothman InstituteAsif M Ilyas - Rothman InstituteAri Greis - Rothman Institute
- Publication Details
- PloS one, v 20(8), pe0329897
- Publisher
- PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE; SAN FRANCISCO
- Number of pages
- 9
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Pediatrics
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001546469400012
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105012428254
- Other Identifier
- 991022074079404721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Clinical Neurology