Cannabis-based product use in a multiple sclerosis cohort.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pharmacology
• Public Health

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease.
• Cannabis-based products (CBPs) are increasingly explored for symptom management in MS.
• Understanding CBP usage patterns in MS patients is crucial for clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the use of cannabis-based products (CBPs) among patients attending the University of British Columbia Hospital (UBCH) MS clinic.
• To identify demographic and clinical factors associated with CBP use in MS patients.
• To determine the formulations and frequencies of CBP use.

Main Methods:

• Anonymous surveys were administered to MS patients at UBCH from January to March 2018.
• Surveys collected data on patient demographics, MS-specific information, and CBP usage (formulation, frequency, perceived effects).
• Retrospective data on CBP use and clinical characteristics were extracted from the UBCH MS clinic electronic medical record (EMR).

Main Results:

• Out of 188 returned surveys, 50% of respondents reported never using CBPs.
• Among CBP users, daily use was reported by 19%, weekly by 6%, and monthly by 4%.
• Oral and smoked/vaporized formulations were the most common, with 19% of all surveyed MS patients using CBPs according to EMR data.

Conclusions:

• Cannabis-based product use is common among multiple sclerosis patients at the UBCH MS clinic.
• Approximately one in four MS patients attending the clinic utilize CBPs.
• Further research is warranted to explore the efficacy and safety of CBPs in MS management.