scholarly journals Clinical Outcome Data of First Cohort of Chronic Pain Patients Treated With Cannabis‐Based Sublingual Oils in the United Kingdom: Analysis From the UK Medical Cannabis Registry

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Kawka ◽  
Simon Erridge ◽  
Carl Holvey ◽  
Ross Coomber ◽  
Azfer Usmani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
Medical Cannabis ◽  
Clinical Outcome Data ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Chronic Pain Patients ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Pain Patients

Safety results from the treatment of 109 cerebral aneurysms using the Woven EndoBridge technique: preliminary results in the United Kingdom

2018 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 144-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimee Lawson ◽  
Andy Molyneux ◽  
Robin Sellar ◽  
Saleh Lamin ◽  
Allan Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Cerebral Aneurysms ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Woven Endobridge ◽  
Web Device ◽  
The Web

OBJECTIVEThe Woven Endobridge (WEB) device has been in clinical use for the treatment of brain aneurysms for the past 4 years. Observational studies to assess clinical outcome and related complications have been published. Clear evidence is required to better understand the safety profile of the WEB device. The authors here present a multicenter series that provides a detailed safety analysis focused on patient selection, procedural events, and technical issues of treated patients throughout the United Kingdom (UK).METHODSA nationwide password-protected database was set up to collect anonymous information across the UK (14 centers). Complications and clinical outcome were analyzed for the initial 109 patients (112 procedures). An independent root cause analysis classified the complications into groups (procedural, disease, device, ancillary device, and other). The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used as a marker of clinical outcome.RESULTSEach of the 109 patients had 1 aneurysm suitable for WEB treatment (109 aneurysms). Three patients had 2 procedures, making a total of 112 procedures performed. Eight procedures were abandoned because of access issues; 2 patients went on to have a successful procedure. All 109 patients had a preprocedure and discharge mRS scores recorded. One hundred patients had a recorded mRS score from a > 3-month follow-up.Deployment of the WEB device was successful in 103 (94.5%) of 109 patients and 104 (92.9%) of 112 procedures. One patient had 2 successful WEB procedures on separate occasions. Patients without a successfully implanted WEB device were included in the analysis. Selection analysis showed that the average patient age was 56.5 years among 34 men and 75 women. The percentage of incidental aneurysms was 58.7%, acute 16.5%, symptomatic 18.3%, and recurrent 6.4%. Further results analysis showed that 40 (36.7%) of 109 patients had recorded adverse events, including those unrelated to the WEB device. Events that could be related to the WEB device numbered 17 (15.6%) among the 109 patients. Two patients with device-related complications were symptomatic. Overall, 11 patients (10.1%) had persistent clinical sequelae. Thromboembolism was the most prevalent event, affecting 15.6% of the patients (17 of 109), and 6.4% of the patients (7 of 109) with a thromboembolism were symptomatic.Overall mortality before discharge was 0% and at the > 3-month follow-up was 5% (5 of 100 patients). Morbidity was defined as an mRS score increase to > 2. Overall morbidity at discharge was 1.8% (2 of 109) and at the > 3-month follow-up was 6% (6 of 100). No device-related morbidity or mortality was associated with this group.CONCLUSIONSThe UK data show that the WEB device is safe for clinical use. Thromboembolic complication adds a risk that should be minimized with appropriate anticoagulation and correct sizing of the device. There is scope for further evaluation and standardization of an anticoagulation regimen for the WEB device.

scholarly journals Mandatory pharmacist-led education session for patients seeking medical cannabis

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2088
Author(s):  
Vikas Parihar ◽  
Laura Katz ◽  
Mahmoud A. Siyam ◽  
Anna Rogers ◽  
Lisa Patterson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Medical Cannabis ◽  
Education Session ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Mandatory Education ◽  
Chronic Pain Patients ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pain Patients

Objective: The primary objectives of this pre-post session study, was to evaluate the impact of a pharmacist-led education session on the perceived benefits and safety of cannabis among patients with chronic pain, as well as determine the influence of pharmacist education on the selection of safer cannabis products and dosage forms for medical use among patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of completed pre-post session questionnaires was conducted among chronic pain patients attending a mandatory education session led by a pharmacist, prior to being authorized cannabis in clinic. All questionnaire data was analyzed using SPSS v. 25. Demographic and sample characteristics were reviewed using univariate analyses. Chi-Square tests were employed to determine if the group-based education significantly affected knowledge, perception of efficacy and safety of cannabis. Results: Of the 260 session participants, 203 completed pre-post session questionnaires. After the session, a majority of current cannabis users (33.8%) and cannabis naïve/past users (56.9%) reported they would use a low THC product in the future, and a majority of current users (54.5%) would use a high CBD product in the future. After education, participants were more likely to report cannabis as having the potential for addiction (chi-square =42.6, p <0.0001) and harm (chi-square =34.0, p <0.0001). Conclusions: Pharmacist counselling and education has the potential to influence patient selection and use of cannabis, from more harmful to safer products, as well as moderate the potential perceived benefits of use.

Medical Cannabis for the Management of Pain and Quality of Life in Chronic Pain Patients: A Prospective Observational Study

Pain Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 3073-3086 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramin Safakish ◽  
Gordon Ko ◽  
Vahid Salimpour ◽  
Bryan Hendin ◽  
Imrat Sohanpal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Medication Use ◽  
Medical Cannabis ◽  
Opioid Medication ◽  
Chronic Pain Patients ◽  
Pain Patients ◽  
Observation Period

Abstract Objective To evaluate the short-term and long-term effects of plant-based medical cannabis in a chronic pain population over the course of one year. Design A longitudinal, prospective, 12-month observational study. Setting Patients were recruited and treated at a clinic specializing in medical cannabis care from October 2015 to March 2019. Subjects A total of 751 chronic pain patients initiating medical cannabis treatment. Methods Study participants completed the Brief Pain Inventory and the 12-item Short Form Survey (SF-12), as well as surveys on opioid medication use and adverse events, at baseline and once a month for 12 months. Results Medical cannabis treatment was associated with improvements in pain severity and interference (P &lt; 0.001) observed at one month and maintained over the 12-month observation period. Significant improvements were also observed in the SF-12 physical and mental health domains (P &lt; 0.002) starting at three months. Significant decreases in headaches, fatigue, anxiety, and nausea were observed after initiation of treatment (P ≤ 0.002). In patients who reported opioid medication use at baseline, there were significant reductions in oral morphine equivalent doses (P &lt; 0.0001), while correlates of pain were significantly improved by the end of the study observation period. Conclusions Taken together, the findings of this study add to the cumulative evidence in support of plant-based medical cannabis as a safe and effective treatment option and potential opioid medication substitute or augmentation therapy for the management of symptoms and quality of life in chronic pain patients.

Medical cannabis and insomnia in older adults with chronic pain: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-420
Author(s):  
Sharon R Sznitman ◽  
Simon Vulfsons ◽  
David Meiri ◽  
Galit Weinstein
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Medical Cannabis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Falling Asleep ◽  
Chronic Pain Patients ◽  
Waking Up ◽  
Pain Symptoms ◽  
Pain Patients

ObjectivesMedical cannabis (MC) is increasingly being used for treatment of chronic pain symptoms. Among patients there is also a growing preference for the use of MC to manage sleep problems. The aim of the current study was to examine the associations between use of whole plant cannabis and sleep problems among chronic pain patients.MethodsA total of 128 individuals with chronic pain over the age of 50 years were recruited from the Rambam Institute for Pain Medicine in Haifa, Israel. Of them, 66 were MC users and 62 were non-users. Regression models tested the differences in sleep problems between the two groups. Furthermore, Pearson correlations between MC use measures (dose, length and frequency of use, number of strains used, tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol levels) and sleep problems were assessed among MC users.ResultsAfter adjustment for age, sex, pain level and use of sleep and anti-depressant medications, MC use was associated with less problems with waking up at night compared with non-MC use. No group differences were found for problems with falling asleep or waking up early without managing to fall back asleep. Frequent MC use was associated with more problems waking up at night and falling asleep.ConclusionsMC use may have an overall positive effect on maintaining sleep throughout the night in chronic pain patients. At the same time, tolerance towards potential sleep-inducing properties of MC may occur with frequent use. More research based on randomised control trials and other longitudinal designs is warranted.

Pain Influences Several Levels of Attention

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 235-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid von Bueren Jarchow ◽  
Bogdan P. Radanov ◽  
Lutz Jäncke
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Divided Attention ◽  
Covert Attention ◽  
Attention Task ◽  
Attentional Deficits ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Chronic Pain Patients ◽  
Divided Attention Task ◽  
Pain Stimuli ◽  
Pain Patients

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to examine to what extent chronic pain has an impact on various attentional processes. To measure these attention processes a set of experimental standard tests of the “Testbatterie zur Aufmerksamkeitsprüfung” (TAP), a neuropsychological battery testing different levels of attention, were used: alertness, divided attention, covert attention, vigilance, visual search, and Go-NoGo tasks. 24 chronic outpatients and 24 well-matched healthy control subjects were tested. The control subjects were matched for age, gender, and education. The group of chronic pain patients exhibited marked deficiencies in all attentional functions except for the divided attention task. Thus, the data supports the notion that chronic pain negatively influences attention because pain patients` attention is strongly captivated by the internal pain stimuli. Only the more demanding divided attention task has the capability to distract the focus of attention to the pain stimuli. Therefore, the pain patients are capable of performing within normal limits. Based on these findings chronic pain patients' attentional deficits should be appropriately evaluated and considered for insurance and work related matters. The effect of a successful distraction away from the pain in the divided attention task can also open new therapeutic aspects.

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