gw-1000 and Fibromyalgia

To estimate prevalence of continuous use (persistence) of prescribed cannabinoid medications for up to 1 year from initial prescription in Manitoba, Canada and predictors of duration of use.. A retrospective, population-based, cohort study using administrative data from the Manitoba Population Research Data Repository located at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, Canada.. People without a record of a previous prescription who were prescribed a cannabinoid medication from 1 April 2004 to 1 April 2016 followed for 1 year from the date of first prescription.. Continuous prescribed cannabinoid medication use was defined as use without a gap exceeding 60 days between prescriptions. The primary outcome was prevalence of continuous prescribed cannabinoid medication use for up to 1 year. A secondary outcome was duration of continuous use. Predictors were socio-demographic characteristics, medical diagnoses and type of cannabinoid medication.. Among 5452 new users, 18.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 17.08-19.12] were still using cannabinoids at 1 year. Median duration of use was 31 days [interquartile range (IQR) = 25-193]. This was highest for nabilone (33 days, IQR = 25-199) and lowest for nabiximols (20 days, IQR = 7-30). Use was longest among 19-45- and 46-64-year-old users and those with the highest socio-economic status. Fibromyalgia [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.84-0.95], osteoarthritis (HR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.82-0.97) and substance use disorder (HR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.76-0.94) diagnoses were associated with longer use (HR for discontinuation-HR < 1 less discontinuation and longer use). A diagnosis of cancer was associated with shorter use (HR = 2.73, 95% CI = 2.02-3.67).. In Manitoba, Canada approximately 18% of people prescribed cannabinoid medication continue using for at least 1 year. Duration of use varies with type of cannabinoid medication, age, socio-economic status and dagnosis.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Cannabidiol; Cannabinoids; Dronabinol; Drug Combinations; Duration of Therapy; Female; Fibromyalgia; Humans; Male; Manitoba; Medication Adherence; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Osteoarthritis; Prescription Drugs; Retrospective Studies; Social Class; Substance-Related Disorders; Young Adult

The therapeutic use of cannabis has generated a lot of interest in the past years, leading to a better understanding of its mechanisms of action. Countries like the United States and Canada have modified their laws in order to make cannabinoid use legal in the medical context. It's also the case in France now, where a recent decree was issued, authorizing the prescription of medication containing "therapeutic cannabis" (decree no. 2013-473, June 5, 2013). Cannabinoids such as dronabinol, Sativex and nabilone have been tested for the treatment of acute and chronic pain. These agents are most promising to relieve chronic pain associated with cancer, with human immunodeficiency virus infection and with multiple sclerosis. However, longer-term studies are required to determine potential long-term adverse effects and risks of misuse and addiction.

Topics: Antiemetics; Cannabidiol; Dronabinol; Drug Combinations; Fibromyalgia; Humans; Multiple Sclerosis; Muscle Spasticity; Pain; Plant Extracts