Assessment of clinical outcomes in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder: analysis from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.
Manaswini Pillai, Simon Erridge, Lara Bapir, Martha Nicholas, Nishaanth Dalavaye, Carl Holvey, Ross Coomber, Daniela Barros, Urmila Bhoskar, Gracia Mwimba, Kavita Praveen, Chris Symeon, Simmi Sachdeva-Mohan, James J Rucker, Mikael H Sodergren
Expert review of neurotherapeutics January 1, 2022 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2022.2155139 via PubMed
Summary
Patients prescribed cannabis-based medicinal products for post-traumatic stress disorder showed significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, sleep, and anxiety at 1, 3, and 6 months, based on an analysis of 162 patients from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Most patients (88.89%) had previously or currently used cannabis. Median daily doses were 5.00 mg of cannabidiol and 145.00 mg of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Adverse events occurred in 20.37% of patients, with 135.8% of the total events reported; most were mild or moderate, and insomnia and fatigue were most common. The findings suggest acceptability and safety up to 6 months, but randomized placebo-controlled trials are needed to confirm causality and optimal dosing.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case-series Randomized Placebo-controlled Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 162 |
| Population | Patients from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry prescribed CBMPs for PTSD |
| Topics | Cannabis PTSD |
| Keywords | Medical cannabis Tetrahydrocannabinol |
| Citations | 27 |
| Key finding | Significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, sleep, and anxiety were observed across all follow-up periods, with adverse events mostly mild or moderate, suggesting acceptability and safety up to 6 months. |
Abstract
The current paucity of clinical evidence limits the use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study investigates health-related quality of life (HRQoL) changes and adverse events in patients prescribed CBMPs for PTSD. A case-series of patients from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry was analyzed. HRQoL was assessed at 1-, 3-, and 6-months using validated patient reported outcome measures (PROMs). Adverse events were analyzed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.050. Of 162 included patients, 88.89% (n = 144) were current/previous cannabis users. Median daily CBMP dosages were 5.00 (IQR: 0.00-70.00) mg of cannabidiol and 145.00 (IQR: 100.00-200.00) mg of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Significant improvements were observed in PTSD symptoms, sleep, and anxiety across all follow-up periods (p < 0.050). There were 220 (135.8%) adverse events reported by 33 patients (20.37%), with the majority graded mild or moderate in severity (n = 190, 117.28%). Insomnia and fatigue had the greatest incidence (n = 20, 12.35%). Associated improvements in HRQoL were observed in patients who initiated CBMP therapy. Adverse events analysis suggests acceptability and safety up to 6 months. This study may inform randomized placebo-controlled trials, required to confirm causality and determine optimal dosing.