Nearly 1 in 4 Canadian fibromyalgia patients had tried medical cannabis after legalization | Research

The takeaway

Among 117 fibromyalgia patients in a Canadian rheumatology clinic surveyed after cannabis legalization, 24% had ever used medical cannabis, with 61% of those continuing use and reporting substantial symptom relief (7 out of 10).

Rheumatologists, fibromyalgia patients, medical cannabis prescribers

7.0 out of 10 self-reported symptom relief among FM cannabis users

What the researchers found

23.9% of FM patients reported ever using medical cannabis, compared to 11.1% of non-FM rheumatology patients. Among FM ever-users, 61% continued use. FM cannabis users tended to be younger (53 vs. 58 years), were more likely unemployed/disabled (39% vs. 17%, p=0.019), used more medications, and reported substantial symptom relief (VAS 7.0/10). Cigarette smoking and recreational cannabis use were more common among ever-users.

Why it matters

Fibromyalgia has limited effective treatments, and cannabis legalization has made it easier for patients to self-medicate. Understanding who uses medical cannabis and their perceived benefits helps guide clinical conversations.

The numbers in context

1,000 rheumatology patients; 117 (11.7%) with FM; 23.9% FM ever-users vs. 11.1% non-FM; 61% of FM users continued; FM users younger (53 vs. 58, p=0.072); more unemployed/disabled (39% vs. 17%, p=0.019); self-reported relief 7.0/10

How the study worked

Cross-sectional survey of 1,000 consecutive rheumatology patients during June-August 2019 in Canada. Rheumatologists completed demographic/disease questionnaires; patients completed anonymous questionnaires on cannabis use and health status. Compared FM patients to non-FM patients and FM cannabis users to FM non-users.

What this study cannot tell us

Cross-sectional survey at one rheumatology center. Self-reported cannabis use and symptom relief without objective measures. No control for placebo effect. FM cannabis users used more medications overall, confounding symptom assessment.

How to read the evidence

Cross-sectional survey in a clinical setting with a reasonable sample size, but self-reported outcomes and no placebo control limit conclusions.

When this study was published

Published in 2021 using June-August 2019 survey data.

The bigger picture

The high self-reported relief score (7/10) and continuation rate (61%) suggest FM patients find meaningful benefit from medical cannabis, though the role of prior smoking and recreational use as facilitators warrants consideration in clinical counseling.

Questions still open

Does prior recreational cannabis use bias perceived medical benefit? Would FM patients naive to cannabis show the same high satisfaction rates? What specific cannabinoid ratios do FM patients find most helpful?

Common questions

How common is medical cannabis use among fibromyalgia patients?

In this Canadian clinic surveyed after legalization, nearly 1 in 4 fibromyalgia patients (23.9%) had tried medical cannabis, compared to about 1 in 9 (11.1%) non-FM rheumatology patients. Over 60% of FM users continued treatment.

Did it help?

Users reported substantial relief, averaging 7 out of 10 on a symptom relief scale. However, this was self-reported without a comparison group, so the role of expectations and placebo effect cannot be ruled out.

Read the original research

Use of medical cannabis by patients with fibromyalgia in Canada after cannabis legalisation: a cross-sectional study.

Clinical and experimental rheumatology, 39 Suppl 130(3), 115-119

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Fitzcharles, Mary-Ann; Rampakakis, Emmanouil; Sampalis, John S; Shir, Yoram; Cohen, Martin; Starr, Michael; Häuser, Winfried. (2021). Use of medical cannabis by patients with fibromyalgia in Canada after cannabis legalisation: a cross-sectional study.. Clinical and experimental rheumatology, 39 Suppl 130(3), 115-119. https://doi.org/10.55563/clinexprheumatol/qcyet7