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Health Utilization and characterization of patients using medical cannabis in Israel
Researchers: Pesach Shvartzman1, Yehuda Baruch2, Itay Goor Aryeh3, Silviu Brill4, Oren Tamir5
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
- One World Cannabis
- Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
- Clalit Health Services
Background: The number of approved licenses for medical cannabis in Israel is rising. To date no evaluation or follow-up study has been conducted on patients who were approved for cannabis treatment, in terms of treatment effectiveness and utilization of healthcare services.
Objectives: 1. A two-year prospective evaluation of new users of medical cannabis.
2. A retrospective characterization of patients who received a license for cannabis in 2006-2010.
2. A retrospective characterization of patients who received a license for cannabis in 2006-2010.
Method: 1. Prospective phase – follow-up interviews with new patients, two years after they began approved cannabis therapy.
2. Retrospective phase – characterization of patients who received a license for cannabis in 2006-2010.
2. Retrospective phase – characterization of patients who received a license for cannabis in 2006-2010.
Findings: 500 patients were interviewed after they received the license, 275 had a second interview, and 141 a third interview. The interviews are still being conducted.
Among patients who received cannabis for non-cancer pain, 60.2% were men with a relatively low mean age (50.1 years), 52.4% had a college or academic education level, and 42.6% had prior experience with non-medical cannabis.
The age and education levels of cancer patients were similar, but the majority were women (52.0%), and a significantly lower percentage had prior experience with non-medical cannabis (27.6%).
A high percentage of patients reported adverse effects with a mean of 3.3 adverse effects per patient. This was the main reason for discontinuing cannabis among cancer patients.
Both cancer and non-cancer patients reported, between the first and second interviews, that cannabis had a positive analgesic effect.
No improvement was found for other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, lack of appetite, fatigue, depression, et al.
Among patients who received cannabis for non-cancer pain, 60.2% were men with a relatively low mean age (50.1 years), 52.4% had a college or academic education level, and 42.6% had prior experience with non-medical cannabis.
The age and education levels of cancer patients were similar, but the majority were women (52.0%), and a significantly lower percentage had prior experience with non-medical cannabis (27.6%).
A high percentage of patients reported adverse effects with a mean of 3.3 adverse effects per patient. This was the main reason for discontinuing cannabis among cancer patients.
Both cancer and non-cancer patients reported, between the first and second interviews, that cannabis had a positive analgesic effect.
No improvement was found for other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, lack of appetite, fatigue, depression, et al.
Conclusions: Since the planned two-year follow-up has not been concluded, it is too early to draw conclusions regarding the long-term effectiveness of cannabis treatment or changes in the utilization of healthcare services.
Recommendations: Since the planned two-year follow-up has not been concluded, it is too early to draw conclusions regarding the long-term effectiveness of cannabis treatment or changes in the utilization of healthcare services.
Research number: R/139/2011
Research end date: 04/2017