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Canna~Fangled Abstracts

Cannabinoid use and effects in patients with epidermolysis bullosa: an international cross-sectional survey study

By September 6, 2021September 7th, 2021No Comments
. 2021 Sep 6;16(1):377.

doi: 10.1186/s13023-021-02010-0.

Nicholas H B Schräder # 1, Emily S Gorell # 2 3, Roy E Stewart 4, José C Duipmans 5, Nicole Harris 3, Victoria A Perez 6, Jean Y Tang 3, André P Wolff 7, Marieke C Bolling 5
Affiliations 

Abstract

Background: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) patient anecdotes and case reports indicate that cannabinoid-based medicines (CBMs) may alleviate pain and pruritus and improve wound healing. CBM use has not been characterized in the EB patient population.

Objectives: To evaluate CBM use among EB patients, including CBM types, effects on symptoms (e.g., pain and pruritus), disease process (e.g., blistering, wounds, and inflammation), well-being (e.g., sleep, appetite) and concomitant medications.

Methods: English-speaking EB patients or caregivers completed an online international, anonymous, cross-sectional survey regarding CBM use. Respondents reported the types of CBMs, subsequent effects including perceived EB symptom alteration, changes in medication use, and side effects.

Results: Seventy-one EB patients from five continents reported using or having used CBMs to treat their EB. Missing question responses ranged between 0 (0%) and 33 (46%). Most used more than one CBM preparation (mean: 2.4 ± 1.5) and route of administration (mean: 2.1 ± 1.1). Topical and ingested were the most common routes. Pain and pruritus were reported retrospectively to decrease by 3 points (scale: 0-10; p < 0.001 for both) after CBM use. Most reported that CBM use improved their overall EB symptoms (95%), pain (94%), pruritus (91%) and wound healing (81%). Most participants (79%) reported decreased use of pain medications. The most common side-effect was dry mouth (44%).

Conclusions: CBMs improve the perception of pain, pruritus, wound healing, and well-being in EB patients and reduced concomitant medication use. Nevertheless, a direct relation between the use of CBMs and reduction of the above-mentioned symptoms cannot be proven by these data. Therefore, future controlled studies using pharmaceutically standardised CBM preparations in EB are warranted to delineate the risks and benefits of CBMs.

 

Keywords: Cannabinoid-based medicines, Epidermolysis bullosa, Genodermatoses, Itch, Pain, Patient driven research, Survey, Symptom alleviation, Wounds

References

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