A new study from Swinburne University has found that medicinal cannabis is associated with improved quality of life among patients dealing with a variety of health conditions.
The research, led by Dr Thomas Arkell, examined 3,148 patients and found meaningful improvements across eight health-related quality-of-life measures following treatment. Those improvements were largely maintained over the course of the study period.
Adverse events were common but rarely serious, with the researchers saying this "highlight[s] the need for caution with prescribing medical cannabis".
The majority of participants were being treated for chronic pain, though the group also included patients with cancer pain, insomnia and anxiety.
CBD-dominant treatments made up roughly 80% of all monthly prescriptions, with THC-dominant products accounting for 12.5% and balanced formulations for 7.5%.
Orally administered products dominated prescriptions, with oils making up 90% and capsules close to 4%, while dried flower alone accounted for just 1.5% and dried flower combined with oil for 1%.
The underlying data was collected through Emyria's Emerald Clinics network between 2018 and 2022, with Emyria funding that collection. Statistical analysis took place in August and September 2022.
Quality of life was measured using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire.
The SF-36 covers 36 items organised into eight distinct scales, including:
- limitations in physical activities due to health problems
- limitations in social activities due to physical or emotional problems
- limitations in usual role activities due to physical health problems
- bodily pain
- general mental health (psychological distress and well-being)
- limitations in usual role activities due to emotional problems
- vitality (energy and fatigue)
- general health perceptions
At baseline, patient-reported scores for bodily pain and physical functioning sat more than 40% below the Australian mean, while role-physical scores — covering limitations in usual activities due to physical health problems — were more than 70% lower. Social functioning and role-emotional scores were also more than 40% beneath the national average.
The researchers said: "Considering this, the estimated treatment effects reported here… suggest substantial absolute gains across all functional domains."
Across the sampling period, 2,919 adverse events were recorded. The majority were mild (1,905) or moderate (922), with sedation/sleepiness, dry mouth, lethargy/tiredness, dizziness and difficulty concentrating reported most frequently.
The rate of adverse events did not vary significantly between different treatment formulations.
The researchers added: "This study suggests a favourable association between medical cannabis treatment and quality of life among patients with a diverse range of conditions.
"However, clinical evidence for cannabinoid efficacy remains limited, and further high-quality trials are required.
"While we cannot exclude the possibility that adverse events may have been caused in whole or part by the disease state and concomitant medications, [their] relatively high incidence… still affirms the need for caution with THC prescribing and careful identification of patients with contra-indications."
