Cannabis use in HIV for pain and other medical symptoms.
Despite the major benefits of antiretroviral therapy on survival during HIV infection, there is an increasing need to manage symptoms and side effects during long-term drug therapy. Cannabis has been reported anecdotally as being beneficial for a number of common symptoms and complications in HIV infections, for example, poor appetite and neuropathy. This study aimed to investigate symptom management with cannabis. Following Ethics Committee approval, HIV-positive individuals attending a large clinic were recruited into an anonymous cross-sectional questionnaire study. Up to one-third (27%, 143/523) reported using cannabis for treating symptoms. Patients reported improved appetite (97%), muscle pain (94%), nausea (93%), anxiety (93%), nerve pain (90%), depression (86%), and paresthesia (85%). Many cannabis users (47%) reported associated memory deterioration. Symptom control using cannabis is widespread in HIV outpatients. A large number of patients reported that cannabis improved symptom control.
Woolridge
Emily
E
Magill Department of Anesthesia, Imperial College London, United Kingdom.
Barton
Simon
S
Samuel
Jonathon
J
Osorio
Jess
J
Dougherty
Andrew
A
Holdcroft
Anita
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002188:Cannabis; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D004358:Drug Therapy; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
D002186:Cannabinoids; D028321:Plant Preparations