Journal article
Medical Cannabis Use Reduces Opioid Prescriptions in Patients With Osteoarthritis
Curēus (Palo Alto, CA), v 14(1), pp e21564-e21564
24 Jan 2022
PMID: 35228923
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Background
Osteoarthritis (OA) can result in significant pain, requiring pain management with opioids. Medical cannabis (MC) has the potential to be an alternative to opioids for chronic pain conditions. This study investigates whether MC used in the management of OA-related chronic pain can reduce opioid utilization.
Methods
Forty patients with chronic OA pain were certified for MC. Average morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per day of opioid prescriptions filled within the six months prior to MC certification was compared to that of the six months after. Visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and Global Health scores were measured at baseline, three, and six months post MC certification.
Results
Average MME/day decreased from 18.2 to 9.8 (n=40, p<0.05). The percentage of patients who dropped to 0 MME/day was 37.5%. VAS scores decreased significantly at three and six months, and Global Physical Health score increased significantly by three months.
Conclusions
MC reduces opioid prescription for patients with chronic OA pain and improves pain and quality of life.
Metrics
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Details
- Title
- Medical Cannabis Use Reduces Opioid Prescriptions in Patients With Osteoarthritis
- Creators
- Bryan Renslo - Thomas Jefferson UniversityAri Greis - Thomas Jefferson UniversityConan S Liu - Thomas Jefferson UniversityAnjithaa Radakrishnan - Thomas Jefferson UniversityAsif M Ilyas - Thomas Jefferson University
- Publication Details
- Curēus (Palo Alto, CA), v 14(1), pp e21564-e21564
- Publisher
- Cureus
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Pediatrics
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000750684100006
- Other Identifier
- 991021838147304721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Pharmacology & Pharmacy