POS1021 THE EFFECT OF CANNABIDIOL ON QUANTITATIVE SENSORY TESTING PARAMETERS IN PATIENTS WITH HAND OSTEOARTHRITIS AND PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS: A RANDOMIZED DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

BackgroundCannabidiol (CBD) has been proposed as an analgesic/anti-inflammatory treatment modality for joint pain. This study is based on a randomised, placebo controlled, double blind study (NORDCAN), investigating the effect of CBD in patients with painful hand osteoarthritis or psoriatic arthritis [1].ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of CBD on quantitative sensory testing (QST) parameters.MethodsThe present randomised, placebo controlled, double blind study included 128 patients with hand osteoarthritis or psoriatic arthritis with chronic pain of moderate intensity. The trial compared 12 weeks of 20-30 mg CBD treatment with placebo. The QST parameters were assessed at baseline and after treatment. Pressure pain thresholds was measured at the most painful finger joint (local site) and the shin of the right leg (distal non-painful site). Temporal summation of pain and conditioned pain modulation were assessed using computer-controlled cuff algometry with the tourniquets on lower leg at the level of the upper portion of the gastrocnemius.ResultsBaseline characteristics (demographics and pain) for the CBD treated group and placebo group were comparable. No significant differences were observed in QST variables between baseline and end of treatment when comparing CBD and placebo.ConclusionNo differences in modulation in QST parameters were demonstrated in patients in treatment with 20-30 mg CBD compared to placebo. Further studies of patients with rheumatic diseases treated with different dosage of CBD are needed to clarify the effect of CBD on pain in this patient group.