An international expert panel agreed on 40 key items for assessing cannabis use risk in rheumatology patients
A Delphi study with 12 international experts reached 88.9% consensus on 40 items for a cannabis risk assessment tool in rheumatology, emphasizing patient demographics, medical history, substance use disorders, and cannabis consumption patterns.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Consensus (75%+ agreement) was achieved on 40 of 45 items (88.9%) after two rounds, confirmed in a third validation round. Key risk factors included age, gender, history of substance use disorders, schizophrenia, cannabis consumption patterns, age of first use, method, and frequency of use.
Key Numbers
12 experts participated. 45 statements rated. 40 items reached 75%+ consensus (88.9%). Four categories: patient demographics, medical history, lifestyle, socioeconomic. All 40 confirmed in validation round.
How They Did This
Modified Delphi study with 12 international experts from different healthcare professions in rheumatology. Statements developed from literature review and focus groups. Three rounds conducted: two for consensus, one for validation. Agreement threshold set at 75%.
Why This Research Matters
With cannabis legalization expanding, rheumatology patients increasingly use cannabis for chronic pain. A standardized risk assessment tool helps clinicians move from subjective judgment to evidence-informed screening when discussing cannabis with patients.
The Bigger Picture
This is one of the first efforts to develop a structured clinical tool for cannabis risk assessment in a specific medical specialty. If validated, it could serve as a model for other specialties where patients use cannabis for symptom management.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Only 12 experts participated. Delphi consensus does not equal clinical validation. The tool has not been tested in clinical practice. Expert panel composition may not represent all relevant perspectives.
Questions This Raises
- ?How well does the tool predict actual adverse outcomes from cannabis use in rheumatology patients?
- ?Would primary care providers find it practical?
- ?How should the tool be modified for different legal and cultural contexts?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 88.9% consensus on 40 risk assessment items
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: structured Delphi process with international experts, though small panel size and no clinical validation yet.
- Study Age:
- Published 2026.
- Original Title:
- The development of a cannabis risk assessment tool for patients with rheumatologic conditions: a Delphi study.
- Published In:
- Clinical rheumatology, 45(3), 1971-1979 (2026)
- Authors:
- Turk, Tarek, Watson, Kaitlyn, Aref, Heba, Patel, Dimple, Jones, Allyson, Olson, Joanne, Paul, Pauline, Sadowski, Cheryl A, Yacyshyn, Elaine
- Database ID:
- RTHC-08674
Evidence Hierarchy
Uses interviews or focus groups to understand experiences in depth.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a tool for assessing cannabis risk in arthritis patients?
This study developed a 40-item risk assessment framework through expert consensus, covering age, gender, substance use history, mental health conditions, and cannabis use patterns. Clinical validation is still needed.
What risk factors are important for cannabis use in rheumatology?
Experts identified age, gender, history of substance use disorders, schizophrenia, and cannabis consumption patterns including age of first use, method, and frequency as key factors to assess.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-08674APA
Turk, Tarek; Watson, Kaitlyn; Aref, Heba; Patel, Dimple; Jones, Allyson; Olson, Joanne; Paul, Pauline; Sadowski, Cheryl A; Yacyshyn, Elaine. (2026). The development of a cannabis risk assessment tool for patients with rheumatologic conditions: a Delphi study.. Clinical rheumatology, 45(3), 1971-1979. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-025-07807-z
MLA
Turk, Tarek, et al. "The development of a cannabis risk assessment tool for patients with rheumatologic conditions: a Delphi study.." Clinical rheumatology, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-025-07807-z
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "The development of a cannabis risk assessment tool for patie..." RTHC-08674. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/turk-2026-the-development-of-a
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.