title: Effectiveness and Tolerability of THC/CBD Oromucosal Spray for Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity in Italy: First Data from a Large Observational Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prospective, non-interventional Mobility Improvement (MOVE) 2 study was designed to provide real life data on clinical outcomes of patients with treatment-resistant multiple sclerosis (MS) spasticity receiving routine treatment with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC):cannabidiol (CBD) oromucosal spray (Sativex®), subsequent to its approval in European countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  This interim analysis reports on MOVE 2 patients from Italy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Interim data from 322 patients (58.3% female; mean age 51.1 ± 10.2 years) were analyzed. From baseline to month 3 of treatment (Visit 3), the mean 0-10 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score decreased by -19.1% (-1.6 points, p < 0.0001) and the mean modified Ashworth score decreased from 2.6 to 2.3 points (p < 0.0001). At Visit 3, 24.6% of 203 patients with available data were clinically relevant responders (≥30% improvement from baseline NRS score; p < 0.001 vs. baseline). The mean reported dose of THC:CBD oromucosal spray was 6.1 ± 2.5 sprays/day at Visit 1 (1 month) and 5.1 ± 2.6 sprays/day at Visit 3 (range 1-12 sprays/day at both timepoints). Forty-one (13.1%) patients reported at least one adverse event (AE), which included 3 serious AEs (1 unrelated). AEs with an incidence ≥1% were dizziness (5.6%), confusion (2.5%), nausea (1.25%) and somnolence (1.25%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In everyday clinical practice in Italy, THC:CBD oromucosal spray provided symptomatic relief of MS spasticity with good tolerability in a relevant number of previously resistant patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trojano
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vila
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002185:Cannabidiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002185:Cannabidiol; D013759:Dronabinol; C587251:nabiximols