Contributions
Abstract: EP1696
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Therapy - Symptomatic treatment
Background: Cannabis-based products (CBP) are used both recreationally and for symptomatic management in multiple sclerosis (MS). We set out to investigate the current spectrum of CBP use at the University of British Columbia (UBC) MS clinic through a patient survey.
Methods: The study was approved by the UBC Clinical Research Ethics Board. All patients attending the UBC MS clinic from January 2018 to March 2018 were invited to participate. The survey included: patient demographics (gender, age, and employment status), self-reported MS-specific data (subtype, disease duration, previous and current disease modifying therapies, symptomatic medications), and CBP use (formulation, frequency, perceived benefits/side-effects).
Results: Of 600 surveys distributed, 259 were returned and completed. Responders were 75% female, and the most common age range was 45-55 years. Those with a diagnosis other than MS were excluded (n=14). CBP use was daily for 15% (n=37), weekly for 4% (n=11), monthly for 3% (n=7), rarely for 16% (n=40), and 61% never used (n=150). The CBP users (daily, weekly or monthly) represented 22% and were predominantly relapsing-remitting disease subtype (62%). CBP use included: oral (n=43), smoked/vaporized (n=42), topical (n=14) and mucosal (n=5). Reasons for initiation of CBP were: pain (n=39, 71%), sleep (n=39, 71%), mood (n=24, 44%), spasticity (n=22, 40%), tremor (n=11, 20%), bladder dysfunction (n=5, 9%), and other (n=8, 15%). Of the CBP users, 95% responded that CBP led to symptomatic improvement. Many of these individuals (35%) had not tried other symptomatic medications. CBP usage was discussed with a neurologist in 52% of cases, and 18% of users had the CBP authorized by a physician.
Conclusions: 55 of the 245 survey respondents (22%) who attend the UBC MS clinic use CBP. Responder bias may cause overestimation of CBP use. The most frequent formulations were oral and smoked. Pain and sleep were the most common symptoms being treated and perception of CBP benefit was high. Many of these patients have not tried other symptomatic medications.
Disclosure:
Alice Schabas: nothing to disclose. Vlatka Vukojevic: nothing to disclose.
Zin Thu: Nothing to disclose.
Alexandra Badyal: Nothing to disclose.
Jillian Chan: has received funding for a clinical fellowship from Biogen and a consulting fee from Roche.
Ana-Luiza Sayao: has received honorariums from the following companies for Advisory board meetings: Roche, Biogen, Serono, Teva, Genzyme, Novartis; Speaking Honoraria from: Serono and Biogen; and Travel Honoraria from Genzyme and Teva.
Virginia Devonshire has received honorariums from the following companies for Advisory meetings and speakers honorarium: EMD Serono, Biogen, Teva Neurosciences, Novartis, Sanofi-Genzyme and Roche.
Anthony Traboulsee: has received grant funding from the MS Society of Canada, Canadian Institute for Health Research, Roche, and Genzyme; received honoraria or travel grants from Teva Canada Innovation, Roche, Merck/EMD Serono, Genzyme, Chugai Pharmaceuticals.
Robert Carruthers: is site Investigator for studies funded by Novartis, MedImmune, and Roche and receives research support from Teva Innovation Canada, Roche Canada and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. He has done consulting work and has received honoraria from Roche, EMD Serono, Sanofi, Biogen, Novartis, and Teva.
Abstract: EP1696
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Therapy - Symptomatic treatment
Background: Cannabis-based products (CBP) are used both recreationally and for symptomatic management in multiple sclerosis (MS). We set out to investigate the current spectrum of CBP use at the University of British Columbia (UBC) MS clinic through a patient survey.
Methods: The study was approved by the UBC Clinical Research Ethics Board. All patients attending the UBC MS clinic from January 2018 to March 2018 were invited to participate. The survey included: patient demographics (gender, age, and employment status), self-reported MS-specific data (subtype, disease duration, previous and current disease modifying therapies, symptomatic medications), and CBP use (formulation, frequency, perceived benefits/side-effects).
Results: Of 600 surveys distributed, 259 were returned and completed. Responders were 75% female, and the most common age range was 45-55 years. Those with a diagnosis other than MS were excluded (n=14). CBP use was daily for 15% (n=37), weekly for 4% (n=11), monthly for 3% (n=7), rarely for 16% (n=40), and 61% never used (n=150). The CBP users (daily, weekly or monthly) represented 22% and were predominantly relapsing-remitting disease subtype (62%). CBP use included: oral (n=43), smoked/vaporized (n=42), topical (n=14) and mucosal (n=5). Reasons for initiation of CBP were: pain (n=39, 71%), sleep (n=39, 71%), mood (n=24, 44%), spasticity (n=22, 40%), tremor (n=11, 20%), bladder dysfunction (n=5, 9%), and other (n=8, 15%). Of the CBP users, 95% responded that CBP led to symptomatic improvement. Many of these individuals (35%) had not tried other symptomatic medications. CBP usage was discussed with a neurologist in 52% of cases, and 18% of users had the CBP authorized by a physician.
Conclusions: 55 of the 245 survey respondents (22%) who attend the UBC MS clinic use CBP. Responder bias may cause overestimation of CBP use. The most frequent formulations were oral and smoked. Pain and sleep were the most common symptoms being treated and perception of CBP benefit was high. Many of these patients have not tried other symptomatic medications.
Disclosure:
Alice Schabas: nothing to disclose. Vlatka Vukojevic: nothing to disclose.
Zin Thu: Nothing to disclose.
Alexandra Badyal: Nothing to disclose.
Jillian Chan: has received funding for a clinical fellowship from Biogen and a consulting fee from Roche.
Ana-Luiza Sayao: has received honorariums from the following companies for Advisory board meetings: Roche, Biogen, Serono, Teva, Genzyme, Novartis; Speaking Honoraria from: Serono and Biogen; and Travel Honoraria from Genzyme and Teva.
Virginia Devonshire has received honorariums from the following companies for Advisory meetings and speakers honorarium: EMD Serono, Biogen, Teva Neurosciences, Novartis, Sanofi-Genzyme and Roche.
Anthony Traboulsee: has received grant funding from the MS Society of Canada, Canadian Institute for Health Research, Roche, and Genzyme; received honoraria or travel grants from Teva Canada Innovation, Roche, Merck/EMD Serono, Genzyme, Chugai Pharmaceuticals.
Robert Carruthers: is site Investigator for studies funded by Novartis, MedImmune, and Roche and receives research support from Teva Innovation Canada, Roche Canada and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. He has done consulting work and has received honoraria from Roche, EMD Serono, Sanofi, Biogen, Novartis, and Teva.