All posts tagged: Survey

Many Chronic Pain-Related Cannabis Studies Lack “High-Quality” Evidence

Cannabis-based medicines for chronic neuropathic pain in adults (Review)

In Summary:

In a recent Cochrane meta-analysis of studies investigating the use of medical cannabis for chronic neuropathic pain management, the authors determined that no results were what they could consider “high quality.” All data which related to degrees of pain relief, adverse events, and “Patient Global Impression of Change” were largely of very low or low quality, with some outcomes being of moderate quality. The meta-analysis concluded that no existing evidence backs up the use of cannabis for chronic neuropathic pain; however, the quality of evidence examined highlights the need for more controlled studies.  

Dr. Caplan and the #MDTake:

Depending on the system of organization one prefers, pain can be divided up into different subtypes. For one system, it’s three subtypes: neuropathic, nociceptive, and “other.” For another system, pain can be organized by timing (sharp, acute, chronic, breakthrough), location (bone, soft tissue, nerve, referred, phantom), or by the relative system (emotional, cancer, body.) This review discusses the subtype category of “neuropathic pain” as a means of grouping pain to study. The measures used to assess the pain are as subjective as the categories themselves. Clearly, compounding the two subjective divisions is unlikely to produce “high quality” data, but it is a misleading interpretation to take away that there is no good quality information to glean from the observations this review organizes, and also a misinterpretation to jump to an idea that cannabis is not helpful. Rather, given the statistical tools we currently use, and the subjective systems of understanding pain are not well-matched to translating the effects of cannabis on pain into this type of data.

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This paper is also stored here:    http://bit.ly/31mpiMi     inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Benjamin Caplan, MDMany Chronic Pain-Related Cannabis Studies Lack “High-Quality” Evidence
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Cost-effectiveness of treating pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy

Cannabis-based treatments may reduce seizures among children with drug-resistant epilepsy, but are these treatments cost-effective? 

Economic evaluations of cannabis treatments are needed, and they should address issues including weight-gain over time, switching or discontinuation of treatments, the effectiveness of interventions, and long-term success, beyond the duration of available clinical studies.

This paper is also stored here:     http://bit.ly/2INWAOJ    inside the CED Foundation Archive

To explore related information, click the keywords below:

Benjamin Caplan, MDCost-effectiveness of treating pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy
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Prospective analysis of safety and efficacy of medical cannabis in a large, unselected population of patients with cancer

In a study of 2,970 cancer patients, researchers determined that cannabis as a palliative treatment seems to be well tolerated, effective and a safe option to help patients cope with cancer-related symptoms.

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This paper is also stored here:   http://bit.ly/2Fiid7B      inside the CED Foundation Archive

Benjamin Caplan, MDProspective analysis of safety and efficacy of medical cannabis in a large, unselected population of patients with cancer
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Cannabinoids in Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A randomized-controlled trial

In a placebo-controlled study of a cannabis oral spray in patients with ADHD, there was no significant improvement in cognitive performance, but there was a significant improvement in hyperactivity and impulsivity.

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This paper is also stored here:     http://bit.ly/31ykZiz    inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Benjamin Caplan, MDCannabinoids in Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A randomized-controlled trial
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Multiple Health Risk Behaviors in Young Adult Smokers: Stages of Change and Stability over Time

Study finds that most young adult smokers engage in multiple other health risk behaviors. When placed in an intervention, participants were most ready to change their stress management and least ready to change their cannabis use.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

This paper is also stored here:  http://bit.ly/31mTqIM       inside the CED Foundation Archive

To explore related information, click keywords:

Benjamin Caplan, MDMultiple Health Risk Behaviors in Young Adult Smokers: Stages of Change and Stability over Time
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Medical Marijuana Confers Benefits Comparable to Prescription Medication, Without the Side Effects

Preferences for Medical Marijuana over Prescription Medications Among Persons Living with Chronic Conditions: Alternative, Complementary, and Tapering Uses

In a survey of 30 patients using medical cannabis for a range of illnesses, including Rheumatoid Arthritis, cancer, Hepatitis C, PTSD, and more, patients reported an array of benefits from their cannabis use. Patients successfully used cannabis as an alternative to prescription medication, as a complementary agent with traditional prescription medicines, and to gradually help halt the use of some prescription medications. Benefits described by participants included the effects of cannabis lasting longer than that of opioids, lower risk of addiction, fewer side-effects. Patients also saw their sleep, anxiety, appetite, and adverse reactions improve with the use of medical cannabis. Larger, more controlled studies may suggest cannabis more affirmatively as an alternative or complementary therapy with prescription medications.

View this review (yellow link) or download:


This paper is also stored here:   http://bit.ly/2wqDDdQ      inside the CED Foundation Archive


To explore related information, click keywords:

Benjamin Caplan, MDMedical Marijuana Confers Benefits Comparable to Prescription Medication, Without the Side Effects
read more