Cannabidiol (CBD) Use among children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Christopher J Failing1,2,3, Kevin F Boehnke4,5, Meredith Riebschleger6,7

  • 1Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor, United States, MI. chris.failing@gmail.com.

Insights

Caregivers of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) show interest in cannabidiol (CBD) despite infrequent use. More research and education are needed regarding CBD safety and efficacy for JIA management.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Rheumatology
  • Cannabinoid Therapeutics
  • Patient Caregiver Attitudes

Background:

  • Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) presents significant treatment challenges.
  • Cannabidiol (CBD) is increasingly accessible, yet its application in JIA remains unstudied.
  • Caregiver perspectives on CBD for JIA are largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate caregiver knowledge, attitudes, and interest in using cannabidiol (CBD) for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
  • To assess current CBD usage patterns and information sources among caregivers of JIA patients.
  • To identify gaps in communication between caregivers and healthcare providers regarding CBD for JIA.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of JIA patients (2017-2019) at a Midwestern institution.
  • Anonymous online survey distributed to primary caregivers of JIA patients.
  • Descriptive statistical analysis comparing caregivers with varying levels of interest in CBD.

Main Results:

  • Of 136 surveyed caregivers, 34.5% expressed no interest in CBD, while 54% contemplated and 7% currently used CBD for their child's JIA.
  • Information on CBD primarily came from television (70%) or friends (50%), not rheumatologists (2%).
  • Most caregivers had not discussed CBD with their child's rheumatologist; current users often lacked knowledge of CBD dosage.

Conclusions:

  • A significant caregiver interest in CBD for JIA exists, contrasting with current low usage rates.
  • The lack of rheumatologist involvement and limited caregiver knowledge highlight a critical need for improved education.
  • Further research into the safety and efficacy of CBD for pediatric JIA is warranted.
Abstract

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