Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
The Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Pain Med. 2022 Oct 29;23(11):1828-1836. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnac085.
Although there is growing interest in medically authorized cannabis for chronic pain, little is known about patients' perspectives. We explored perceptions of people living with chronic pain regarding benefits and concerns surrounding their use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes.
A hospital-based clinic in Hamilton and two community-based interdisciplinary pain clinics in Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
In this qualitative descriptive study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 people living with chronic pain who used cannabis therapeutically, living in Ontario, Canada. We used thematic analysis, with data collection, coding, and analysis occurring concurrently.
People living with chronic pain reported important benefits associated with use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes, including reduced pain, improved functionality, and less risk of harms compared to prescription opioids. Most patients also acknowledged harms, such as grogginess and coughing, and there was considerable variability in patient experiences. Financial costs and stigma were identified as important barriers to use of cannabis.
Evidence-based guidance that incorporates patients' values and preferences may be helpful to inform the role of cannabis in the management of chronic pain.
尽管人们对医用大麻治疗慢性疼痛越来越感兴趣，但对于患者的看法却知之甚少。我们探讨了患有慢性疼痛的人对使用大麻进行治疗的看法，包括他们对大麻的益处和担忧。
加拿大安大略省汉密尔顿的一家医院和伯灵顿的两家社区跨学科疼痛诊所。
在这项定性描述性研究中，我们对 13 名在安大略省使用医用大麻治疗慢性疼痛的患者进行了半结构化访谈。我们使用主题分析，同时进行数据收集、编码和分析。
患有慢性疼痛的患者报告了使用大麻进行治疗的重要益处，包括减轻疼痛、改善功能以及与处方类阿片类药物相比风险降低。大多数患者也承认存在一些危害，如昏昏欲睡和咳嗽，并且患者的体验存在很大差异。经济成本和污名化被认为是使用大麻的重要障碍。
纳入患者价值观和偏好的循证指南可能有助于为大麻在慢性疼痛管理中的作用提供信息。
