What is it about?
This study looked at people with chronic health conditions in Australia being prescribed medicinal cannabis. Researchers followed patients for a year to see if their symptoms and quality of life improved. Health-related quality of life, pain, fatigue, sleep, anxiety, and depression all improved significantly. Many patients were able to reduce or stop other medications, including opioids, due to taking medicinal cannabis. Overall, the study suggests that patients prescribed medicinal cannabis experience significant and long-lasting improvements in symptoms and quality of life.
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Why is it important?
Prescribing medicinal cannabis to patients with chronic health conditions may improve their pain, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, and depression and overall HRQL. Study findings suggest any improvements would be apparent quickly and maintained long-term.
Perspectives
A chronic health condition can reduce a patient's quality of life considerably. When conventional treatments fail to improve symptoms, patients often seek alternative or additional therapies. If considering medicinal cannabis, I think clinician involvement is crucial. Clinicians can tailor doses specific to a patient's condition, monitor for improvements and possible adverse effects, and ensure there are no interactions with other medications.
Margaret-Ann Tait
University of Sydney
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Improvements in health-related quality of life are maintained long-term in patients prescribed medicinal cannabis in Australia: The QUEST Initiative 12-month follow-up observational study, PLOS One, April 2025, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0320756.
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