Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Hospital Alemán, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Hospital Alemán, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2021 Jun;51:102932. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.102932. Epub 2021 Apr 6.
The use of cannabis to treat some symptoms of neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), has increased worldwide. We aimed to assess the use of cannabis in patients with MS (PwMS) from Argentina, its reasons and patients' perceptions on the management of MS symptoms. Additionally, we assessed their association with socio-demographic and clinical aspects.
A cross-sectional online survey that included 281 PwMS from Argentina was conducted. Screening instruments: Demographics and clinical data, health-related QoL (MS Impact Scale-29), Fatigue Severity Scale, The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, sleep disorders, physical disability (self-administrated Expanded Disability Status Scale) and medical or recreational cannabis use were evaluated. A logistic regression model was carried out.
Current users (cannabis was used within the past year) was reported in 34.2% and former users (had tried cannabis but not used it within the past year) in 22.7%. Daily cannabis use was reported in 31.3% (current + former users) of the studied cohort, 41.9% started their use after MS diagnosis and 54.3% of them had never discussed about cannabis use with their neurologist. Recreational use was reported in 47.5%. Younger (age below 30 years) PwMS (OR = 2.39, p = 0.03), presence of chronic pain (OR = 2.42, p = 0.002) and current alcohol intake (OR = 3.33, p = 0.001) were predictors of current cannabis use in our multivariate model.
A high prevalence of use of cannabis in PwMS from Argentina was observed. Demographic, symptoms and lifestyle factors predict cannabis use. Identifying the presence and severity of these conditions would contribute to a better MS management and treatment.
在全球范围内，使用大麻治疗包括多发性硬化症（MS）在内的一些神经疾病的症状的情况有所增加。我们旨在评估来自阿根廷的多发性硬化症患者（PwMS）使用大麻的情况、原因以及患者对 MS 症状管理的看法。此外，我们评估了这些因素与社会人口统计学和临床方面的关联。
我们进行了一项横断面在线调查，共纳入 281 名来自阿根廷的 PwMS。使用的筛查工具包括：人口统计学和临床数据、与健康相关的生活质量（MS 影响量表-29）、疲劳严重程度量表、医院焦虑和抑郁量表、睡眠障碍、身体残疾（自我管理的扩展残疾状况量表）和医疗或娱乐性大麻使用情况。我们进行了逻辑回归模型分析。
报告当前使用者（在过去一年中使用过大麻）占 34.2%，前使用者（曾尝试过但在过去一年中未使用过）占 22.7%。在研究队列中，当前和前使用者中，有 31.3%的人每天使用大麻，41.9%的人在被诊断出 MS 后开始使用大麻，而 54.3%的人从未与他们的神经科医生讨论过大麻的使用情况。报告娱乐性使用大麻的占 47.5%。在多变量模型中，年轻的 PwMS（年龄低于 30 岁）（OR=2.39，p=0.03）、存在慢性疼痛（OR=2.42，p=0.002）和当前饮酒（OR=3.33，p=0.001）是当前大麻使用者的预测因素。
观察到来自阿根廷的多发性硬化症患者中使用大麻的高患病率。人口统计学、症状和生活方式因素预测大麻的使用。识别这些情况的存在和严重程度将有助于更好地管理和治疗多发性硬化症。
