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- Title
Symptom clusters in patient-reported outcomes of medical cannabis patients.
- Authors
Lao, Nicholas; Ganesh, Vithusha; Liying Zhang; Drost, Leah; Wan, Bo Angela; Blake, Alexia; Chan, Stephanie; Wolt, Amiti; Zaki, Pearl; Slaven, Marissa; Shaw, Erynn; DeAngelis, Carlo; Lam, Henry; Malek, Leila; Chow, Edward; O'Hearn, Shannon
- Abstract
Medical cannabis has been reported to be efficacious for managing symptoms associated with a variety of conditions, including cancer, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptom clusters have been identified in patients across a variety of conditions, and can be used by healthcare professionals to better manage patient quality of life. We aimed to identify baseline symptom clusters in patients registered with a Canadian medical cannabis provider. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed using the PRINQUAL procedure to identify symptom clusters among the 10 most prevalent symptoms patients reported through a voluntary online survey administered after registration with their cannabis provider. The majority of respondents were male (69.2%), Caucasian (91.8%) and employed (50.9%). The average age of respondents was 46.5 years. Common conditions reported included chronic pain, sleep disorders, anxiety disorders, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Three clusters were identified using PCA, and displayed in biplots. Cluster 1 contained anxiety, depression, exhaustion, and sleep interference. Cluster 2 consisted of limited mobility, numbness, and pain. Cluster 3 included constipation, digestion problems, and headache. All clusters displayed good internal consistencies. Three symptom clusters were identified at baseline using PCA, with cluster 1 previously observed in cancer patients. The demographic and symptom profiles of respondents in the present study are also consistent with the limited literature that currently exists. Identifying symptom clusters in medical cannabis patients may allow physicians to make dosing and strain recommendations that will more effectively manage patients' overall condition(s) and commonly associated symptoms.
- Subjects
ANXIETY; CHRONIC pain; CONSTIPATION; MENTAL depression; FACTOR analysis; HEADACHE; HEALTH outcome assessment; POST-traumatic stress disorder; SLEEP disorders; MEDICAL marijuana
- Publication
Journal of Pain Management, 2017, Vol 10, Issue 4, p345
- ISSN
1939-5914
- Publication type
Article