A UK-based multi-award-winning medical cannabis clinic will present six abstracts focused on the latest research on cannabinoids. The findings are based on data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry, which will be presented during the 31st Annual International Cannabinoid Research Society Symposium on Cannabinoids (ICRS2021).
During ICRS2021, Sapphire Medical will present data from patients treated with medical cannabis. Across all patients, findings are reported in health-related quality of life as well as within specific conditions such as pain, anxiety and palliative care.
The analysis measured patient-reported outcomes following medical cannabis treatment for a number of conditions. It reportedly found statistically significant improvements in anxiety, sleep, and general quality of life at one, three and six months following treatment, compared to baseline assessment.
An Update of the General Clinical Outcome Measures across patient groups in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry
The study analysed clinical outcomes of the first 312 patients enrolled in the Registry. It found that CBMPs were well tolerated with an adverse event incidence of 39 per 100 patients which compares favourably to opioid painkillers such as morphine or codeine.
Exploring Quality of Life Outcomes of Chronic Pain Patients from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry
Focused analysis of 190 patients with chronic pain demonstrated improved measures of pain severity and interference at one, three and six months. This suggests a disease-specific improvement in health-related quality of life in the studied population.
This is supported by pre-clinical research demonstrating the action of cannabinoids, which are the major constituent chemicals in the cannabis plant, on human pain receptors. In addition, these patients also reported improvement in sleep, anxiety levels and general quality of life.
UK Medical Cannabis Registry: An analysis of Clinical Outcomes of Medicinal Cannabis Therapy for Anxiety
The effects of medical cannabis are much reported yet there has been a paucity of randomised controlled trials in anxiety disorders. A focused analysis of patients from the Registry with generalised anxiety disorder helps supplement the burgeoning evidence of the effects of medical cannabis in anxiety.
A significant reduction in reported anxiety was seen at one, three and six months compared to assessment prior to initiation of medical cannabis therapy. These patients also reported improved sleep and general quality of life.
Analysis of Palliative Care Patients from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry: Initial Experience and Outcomes
The final exploratory analysis of palliative care patients confirmed safety in administering CBMPs in this cohort and a disease-specific analysis can now take place using these data to guide the parameters of a larger study.
Dr Simon Erridge, Head of Research and Access at Sapphire Medical Clinics, said: “Randomised controlled trials are still required in the use of CBMPs as a treatment to assess clinical benefit but our contribution to the evidence base via Real World Evidence is crucial in bridging the gap between research and access.
“As UK’s first Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) registered medical cannabis clinic, we are dedicated to improving appropriate medical cannabis access for patients by building essential evidence.”
The data presented builds on the first international peer-reviewed analysis of the first UK medical cannabis patients published last month in Neuropsychopharmacology Reports.
