Citation

Smith PA, Chan S, Blake A, Wolt A, Zhang L, Wan BA, Zaki P, Lam H, Deangelis C, Slaven M, Shaw E, Ganesh V, Malek L, Chow E, O'Hearn S. Journal of Pain Management 2017; 10(4): 397-405.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness with intrusive symptoms related to a traumatic event(s), usually treated with pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. This study aimed to assess outcomes in military and police veterans with PTSD treated with medical cannabis, through a retrospective chart review. Veterans with PTSD using medical cannabis after unsuccessful pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy treatment were assessed in a single centre review at baseline and follow-up. Changes in outcomes and PTSD medications from baseline to follow-up were reported with percent change and effect size (ES) and then compared to the minimal clinically important difference. A total of 100 patients (97% male, average age 43 years old) were assessed from January 2014 to January 2016. The aggregate score of PTSD symptoms was reduced from a mean score of 7.0 at baseline to 2.9 at follow-up (59% reduction, ES 1.5, very large effect; p < 0.0001). Suicidal thoughts decreased from 4.1 to 0.9 (77% reduction, ES 1.0, large effect; p < 0.0001). The aggregate score for the impact of PTSD on social and family life was reduced from 6.6 to 2.7 (59% reduction, ES 1.2, large effect; p < 0.0001). Pain severity decreased from an average of 6.6 to 3.4 (48% reduction, ES 1.5, very large effect). Consumption of PTSD-related medications reduced by 50% from baseline to follow-up. Treatment with medical cannabis in military and police veterans with PTSD who had failed conventional therapy resulted in significant improvements across all PTSD symptoms, as well as social and family impact outcomes and pain severity. © Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

Medical cannabis; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Suicide; Veterans