Abstract
Although researchers have identified medications that relieve symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), none are entirely effective and some persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) use alternatives. Our study compared cannabis use among PwMS (N = 135) and persons diagnosed with arthritis (N = 582) or cancer (N = 622) who were age 60 and older, enrolled in the State of Illinois Medical Cannabis Program, and invited to complete a survey fielded between June and September, 2019. We used logistic regression to identify significant differences in self-reported effects of cannabis on psychological wellbeing, quality of life, and three behavioral outcomes, and we also considered effects of past year opioid use relative to these outcomes. We found that the majority of individuals from all groups used cannabis to address pain and improve quality of sleep. While PwMS reported lower baseline levels across all five outcomes, we found that the reported effects of cannabis were largely comparable across the groups. We also found that cannabis benefitted persons with sleep and digestive issues regardless of condition, whereas persons who used opioids in addition to cannabis were less likely to experience an improvement in any of the outcomes. This comparative evaluation suggests that cannabis’ effects are not specific to MS, arthritis, or cancer as much as they impact processes common among these distinct conditions. We also found evidence that cannabis may be a viable alternative to opioids for those with these conditions and experiencing pain.
Highlights
One million Americans currently live with multiple sclerosis (MS) [1]
In the state of Illinois, for example, older persons constituted the largest group of participants enrolled in the state medical cannabis program and we found that those participants diagnosed with multiple sclerosis were among the largest groups of individual program participants
When Persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) were compared with groups of persons with arthritis or cancer who enrolled in the same state medical cannabis program, they were more likely to be female, as might be expected given that the incidence of MS is higher among females [1]
Summary
One million Americans currently live with multiple sclerosis (MS) [1]. With no known cure or treatment alternative that effectively stops disease progression, MS stands apart as an insidious, chronic, and disabling condition. Other surveys [7,8,9,10] suggest that current use rates may differ across ethnic groups and be higher within those states that have legalized cannabis for medical purposes and identified MS as a qualifying condition for program participation. While these prevalence rates remain somewhat indefinite, PwMS are up to ten times more likely to use cannabis than persons without MS and researchers have established that cannabis use among PwMS is driven by age, gender, prior history of cannabis use, and disability [8,9]. Besides decreased spasticity and lower levels of self-reported pain, researchers have examined how cannabis may impact sleep, digestive functions, and balance among PwMS [7,8]
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