Page S A, Verhoef M J, Stebbins R A, Metz L M, Levy J C
Office of Medical Bioethics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Can J Neurol Sci. 2003 Aug;30(3):201-5. doi: 10.1017/s0317167100002584.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological diseases affecting young adults. The prevalence of MS in Alberta has been described as among the highest reported in the world, estimated at 217 per 100,000. Numerous anecdotal reports, and a few small empirical investigations have suggested that cannabis use may relieve the symptom experience of those with MS. The present study was undertaken to describe cannabis use by this patient group. Information on peoples' beliefs, practices and experiences related to use were investigated.
A questionnaire was mailed to a sample of 780 adults with MS in southern Alberta, Canada.
Completed questionnaires were returned by 420/673 eligible subjects (response rate 62%). Mean sample age was 48 years and 75% were women. Respondents ranged from mildly to severely impaired. The majority of respondents (96%) was aware cannabis was potentially therapeutically useful for MS and most (72%) supported legalization for medicinal purposes. Forty-three percent had tried cannabis at some point in their lives, 16% for medicinal purposes. Symptoms reported to be ameliorated included anxiety/depression, spasticity and chronic pain. Reasons given for not trying cannabis were the fact that it is an illegal substance, concern about side effects and lack of knowledge on how to obtain it.
Subjective improvements in symptom experience were reported by the majority of people with MS who currently use cannabis. Further evaluation of this substance is warranted.
多发性硬化症（MS）是影响年轻人的最常见神经疾病之一。据报道，艾伯塔省MS的患病率是世界上最高的之一，估计每10万人中有217人患病。众多轶事报道和一些小型实证研究表明，使用大麻可能会缓解MS患者的症状体验。本研究旨在描述该患者群体使用大麻的情况。调查了人们与使用大麻相关的信念、行为和体验信息。
向加拿大艾伯塔省南部780名成年MS患者邮寄了一份问卷。
673名符合条件的受试者中有420人返回了完整问卷（回复率62%）。样本平均年龄为48岁，75%为女性。受访者的损伤程度从轻度到重度不等。大多数受访者（96%）知道大麻可能对MS有治疗作用，大多数（72%）支持将其药用合法化。43%的受访者在生活中的某个时候尝试过大麻，16%是出于药用目的。据报告有所改善的症状包括焦虑/抑郁、痉挛和慢性疼痛。未尝试大麻的原因是它是一种非法物质、担心副作用以及不知道如何获取。
目前使用大麻的大多数MS患者报告症状体验有主观改善。有必要对这种物质进行进一步评估。
