Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are chronic autoimmune conditions that cause severe joint destruction and persistent pain. Despite recent advances in pharmaceutical treatments, effective pain management remains a challenge, leading many patients to explore alternative options like cannabinoids. While cannabis is medically legalized in most US states, its efficacy and safety in treating inflammatory arthritis require further investigation.
A detailed cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the role of cannabinoids in managing pain in patients with RA and PsA. Conducted at a rheumatology clinic from October 2019 to March 2020, the study surveyed eligible patients on their experiences with cannabinoids.
Approximately 16.95% of RA and 11.63% of PsA patients reported using cannabinoids, primarily inhaled for RA and topical or liquid forms for PsA.
Post-cannabis use, a significant reduction in pain levels was observed (mean difference: 2.267, p
Reported side effects were minimal, and a majority were open to discussing cannabinoid treatments with their doctors — 80.9% of RA and 86.4% of PsA patients expressed willingness.
The study highlights a significant portion of patients with inflammatory arthritis who are using or have used cannabinoids and perceived a short-term relief from pain and associated symptoms. While these findings are promising, further research is essential to verify the long-term effectiveness and safety for RA and PsA patients. As alternative pain management strategies become a topic of discussion, cannabinoids could potentially serve as a complementary treatment option.
For more details, visit the original study at PubMed.
Keywords: cannabinoids, pain management, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, health surveys
CATEGORY: Arthritis
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