Dataset Information

Non-prescription cannabis use for symptom management amongst women with gynecologic malignancies.

ABSTRACT: Objectives:To evaluate interest in and patterns of use of non-prescription cannabis products for symptom management amongst gynecologic cancer patients living in states with legal access to medical and recreational marijuana. Methods:Cross-sectional study using a novel 35-question survey distributed to women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer within two academic centers in California and Colorado. The survey queries demographic and disease traits, and both objective and subjective issues surrounding use of cannabis products for symptom management. Surveys were distributed to patients actively receiving treatment or under surveillance. Results:Enrollment began July 16, 2018 and was completed December 1, 2018. Survey return rate was 52.7%. A total of 225 participants met inclusion criteria.Sixty-two percent reported that they have used or would be interested in using cannabis products for symptom management; 60 (26.7%) are using non-prescription cannabis for treatment of cancer related symptoms, and 80 (35.6%) are interested in using cannabis derivatives under direction of their oncologist. Reasons cited for use of cannabis included: pain control (n?=?41, 68.3), insomnia (n?=?33, 55.0%), anxiety (n?=?29, 48.3%), nausea (n?=?26, 43.3%), and appetite stimulation (n?=?21, 35.0%). Of the women using cannabis products, almost half report decreased prescription narcotic use after initiation of cannabis products (n?=?27, 45.0%). Conclusions:Women with gynecologic cancer report a strong interest in the use of non-prescription cannabis products for management of cancer-related symptoms. Practitioners in the field of gynecologic oncology should be aware of the frequency of use of non-prescription cannabis amongst their patients as well as the growing desire for guidance about the use of cannabis derivatives. A substantial number of patients report decreased reliance on opioids when using cannabis derivatives for pain control.

SUBMITTER: Blake EA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6804884 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Non-prescription cannabis use for symptom management amongst women with gynecologic malignancies.

Blake Erin A EA Ross Megan M Ihenacho Ugonna U Figueroa Lizzette L Silverstein Emily E Flink Dina D Mendez-Ishizaki Yumi Y Yessaian Annie A Brunette Laurie L LL Matsuo Koji K Cortessis Victoria K VK Guntupalli Saketh S Roman Lynda L

Gynecologic oncology reports 20190909

<h4>Objectives</h4>To evaluate interest in and patterns of use of non-prescription cannabis products for symptom management amongst gynecologic cancer patients living in states with legal access to medical and recreational marijuana.<h4>Methods</h4>Cross-sectional study using a novel 35-question survey distributed to women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer within two academic centers in California and Colorado. The survey queries demographic and disease traits, and both objective and subjective ...[more]

PMID: 31692541

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Project description:ImportanceOpioids are routinely prescribed for postoperative home pain management for most patients in the United States, with limited evidence of the amount needed to be dispensed. Opioid-based treatment often adversely affects recovery. Prescribed opioids increase the risk of chronic opioid use, abuse, and diversion and contribute to the current opioid epidemic.ObjectiveTo evaluate whether after hospital discharge, postsurgical acute pain can be effectively managed with a markedly reduced number of opioid doses.Design, setting, and participantsIn this case-control cohort study, an ultrarestrictive opioid prescription protocol (UROPP) was designed and implemented from June 26, 2017, through June 30, 2018, at a single tertiary-care comprehensive cancer center. All patients undergoing gynecologic oncology surgery were included. Patients undergoing ambulatory or minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic or robotic approach) were not prescribed opioids at discharge unless they required more than 5 doses of oral or intravenous opioids while in the hospital. Patients who underwent a laparotomy were provided a 3-day opioid pain medication supply at discharge.Main outcomes and measuresTotal number of opioid pain medications prescribed in the 60-day perioperative period, requests for opioid prescription refills, and postoperative pain scores and complications were evaluated. Factors associated with increased postoperative pain, preoperative and postoperative pain scores, inpatient status, prior opioid use, and all opioid prescriptions within the 60-day perioperative window were monitored among the case patients and compared with those from consecutive control patients treated at the center in the 12 months before the UROPP was implemented.ResultsPatient demographics and procedure characteristics were not statistically different between the 2 cohorts of women (605 cases: mean [SD] age, 56.3 [14.5] years; 626 controls: mean [SD] age, 55.5 [13.9] years). The mean (SD) number of opioid tablets given at discharge after a laparotomy was 43.6 (17.0) before implementation of the UROPP and 12.1 (8.9) after implementation (P < .001). For patients who underwent laparoscopic or robotic surgery, the mean (SD) number of opioid tablets given at discharge was 38.4 (17.4) before implementation of the UROPP and 1.3 (3.7) after implementation (P < .001). After ambulatory surgery, the mean (SD) number of opioid tablets given at discharge was 13.9 (16.6) before implementation of the UROPP and 0.2 (2.1) after implementation (P < .001). The mean (SD) perioperative oral morphine equivalent dose was reduced to 64.3 (207.2) mg from 339.4 (674.4) mg the year prior for all opioid-naive patients (P < .001). The significant reduction in the number of dispensed opioids was not associated with an increase the number of refill requests (104 patients [16.6%] in the pre-UROPP group vs 100 patients [16.5%] in the post-UROPP group; P = .99), the mean (SD) postoperative visit pain scores (1.1 [2.2] for the post-UROPP group vs 1.4 [2.3] for pre-UROPP group; P = .06), or the number of complications (29 cases [4.8%] in the post-UROPP group vs 42 cases [6.7%] in the pre-UROPP group; P = .15).Conclusions and relevanceImplementation of a UROPP was associated with a significant decrease in the overall amount of opioids prescribed to patients after gynecologic and abdominal surgery at the time of discharge for all patients, and for the entire perioperative time for opioid-naive patients without changes in pain scores, complications, or medication refill requests.

Dataset Information

Non-prescription cannabis use for symptom management amongst women with gynecologic malignancies.

Publications

Non-prescription cannabis use for symptom management amongst women with gynecologic malignancies.

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