Prevalence and Patterns of Marijuana Use among Patients Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis
Complete Project
Title:
Prevalence and Patterns of Marijuana Use among Patients Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis
Status:
Completed
Topic:
Complementary & Alternative Medicine;Multiple Sclerosis
Funding Source:
State of Connecticut: Biomedical Research Trust Fund
Funding Period:
2018-2019
Study Design:
Qualitative research survey
Purpose:
The PRC collaborated on this study with neurologist Joseph Guarnaccia, MD of the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center (MSTC) at Griffin Hospital. The goal was to better understand the use of marijuana by people who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) through the use of a cross-sectional survey. The results could provide valuable information for clinicians who currently refer their patients with MS to medical marijuana programs, have considered referring them, or have been reluctant to refer them. The study data could also be useful in setting new research agendas and tailoring health policies on the use of medical marijuana as a therapy or adjuvant therapy in managing patients with MS.
Further Study Details:
The study team developed a 36-question survey that was estimated to take 10 to 15 minutes to complete. It was made available to be completed either as paper version of the survey, or as an online version available through an encrypted link. The survey elicited demographic data from survey respondents, including their age, gender, education level, employment status, household composition, type of MS, and degree of disability. It also included questions regarding: their patterns of marijuana use; their use of prescription medications, including opioid and benzodiazepines, tobacco products, and alcohol; their MS symptoms; and the perceived benefits and/or adverse effects of their medical marijuana use. An invitation to complete the survey was sent to 317 adults with MS, most of whom were patients at the MSTC at Griffin Hospital.
Findings:
A total of 115 surveys were completed and included in the analysis. Respondents were predominantly female (73.0%). The majority (72.2%) had relapsing and remitting MS. Most (63.5%) were on at least 3 prescription medications for MS. The use of medical marijuana more than once a day was associated with reported improvement of at least two of their MS-related symptoms. Although medical marijuana use was reportedly associated with feeling slightly “high” by the survey respondents, they felt that medical marijuana use was more effective than other MS medications.
Eligibility:
Multiple sclerosis patients from the MSTC who are enrolled in the State of Connecticut’s Medical Marijuana (CTMMP) Program
Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center