Italian Study Finds Cannabis Helps Fibromyalgia Patients
Fibromyalgia is one of the biggest health conditions facing the global community in modern times, with international researchers estimating that fibromyalgia affects between two and eight percent of the world’s population.
The exact number of people suffering from fibromyalgia worldwide is unknown, with many countries’ health systems being deficient in properly identifying and diagnosing the serious health condition. Unfortunately, many sufferers remain undiagnosed and untreated.
Fibromyalgia is a long-term, chronic health condition that involves widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and the sufferer experiencing significant pain when they are touched. The pain, in turn, can affect nearly every aspect of the patient’s daily life.
It wasn’t until recent decades that standardized criteria for diagnosing fibromyalgia were established, and proper therapies were developed. Medical cannabis is an area of treatment that is being explored at an increasing rate for fibromyalgia, and was at the heart of a recent study conducted in Italy.
“Fibromyalgia (FM) is frequently associated with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs). Current treatments for FM offer limited relief, leading to the exploration of alternative therapies such as medical cannabis.” the researchers stated about the focus of their investigation. The study’s findings were published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology.
“Sixty FM patients were enrolled, receiving a Bedrocan® cannabis treatment for 6 months. A standardised questionnaire evaluating upper and lower GI symptoms and the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR) evaluating FM severity were administered at enrolment and 3 and 6-month follow-up evaluations. DGBIs, in particular, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and functional dyspepsia (FD) were diagnosed according to Rome IV criteria.” the researchers stated about their methodology.
“The FIQR severity score log-transformed significantly decreased during the months-by-month comparison period (repeated-measures ANOVA, p<0.001). Among GI symptoms, the log-transformed intensity-frequency score of epigastric pain, epigastric burning, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and bloating significantly decreased during the month-by-month comparison period (repeated-measures ANOVA, p<0.01).” the researchers found.
As acknowledged by the researchers leading the study, there were limitations to the study’s results, not the least of which was the relatively small sample size involved. As with all studies, people need to keep the results in proper context and consult their doctors to determine if medical cannabis is the right treatment for them. Still, the results of this study are promising and give people information to consider.
