Brazilian Journal of Pain
https://brjp.org.br/article/doi/10.5935/2595-0118.20230089-en
Brazilian Journal of Pain
Review Article

Use of cannabis and its derivates in chronic pain management: systematic review

Uso de cannabis e seus derivados no manejo da dor crônica: revisão sistemática

Dorgival Nafs Pinto da Silva Lopes Júnior; Breno de Medeiros Bonfim; Ricardo Wagner Gomes da Silva Neto; Alexandre Magno da Nóbrega Marinho

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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic pain is a clinical condition that affects an important part of the Brazilian and world population, significantly affecting their lives. The medicinal properties of Cannabis have been explored for millennia, but recently its use for the relief of chronic pain symptoms has increased.
CONTENTS: A systematic review was carried out with the objective of evaluating the use of cannabis and its derivatives in the management of chronic pain, analyzing its potential side effects and safety. For this, the following databases were used: Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library and BVS, searching for studies published in the last 5 years, in Portuguese, Spanish or English, using MeSH descriptors and relevant free terms. Randomized, double-blind clinical trials with at least 10 participants in each comparison arm and with at least 2 weeks of intervention were included. After screening the authors, a quantitative analysis of 4 clinical trials (586 patients) was performed, which were analyzed for the outcomes of: patients with 50% or 30% reduction in pain intensity compared to baseline, improvement in pain intensity average pain, discontinuation due to adverse effects, serious adverse effects, and any adverse effects.
CONCLUSION: The analysis did not yield high-quality evidence pertaining to the evaluation of efficacy, safety, or adverse effects associated with the use of cannabis-derived treatments in the management of chronic pain. Consequently, the formulation of recommendations or restrictions in these regards is not feasible, leaving the utilization of these therapeutic modalities subject to individual assessment.

Keywords

Cannabidiol, Cannabis, Chronic pain, Dronabinol, Systematic review

Resumo

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dor crônica é uma condição clínica que atinge parte importante da população brasileira e mundial, afetando significativamente a vida dessas pessoas. As propriedades medicinais da Cannabis vêm sendo exploradas por milênios, mas recentemente seu uso para alívio dos sintomas da dor crônica tem aumentado. 
CONTEÚDO: Foi conduzida uma revisão sistemática com o objetivo de avaliar o uso de cannabis e seus derivados no manejo da dor crônica, analisando seus potenciais efeitos adversos e sua segurança. Para isso, foram utilizadas as seguintes bases de dados: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library e BVS, buscando estudos publicados nos últimos 5 anos, nos idiomas português, espanhol ou inglês, utilizando os descritores MeSH e termos livres relevantes. Foram incluídos ensaios clínicos randomizados, duplos-cegos, com pelo menos 10 participantes em cada braço de comparação e com no mínimo 2 semanas de intervenção. Após a triagem dos autores, foi procedida a análise quantitativa de 4 ensaios clínicos (586 pacientes), que foram analisados para os desfechos de: pacientes com redução da intensidade da dor 50% ou 30% em relação à linha de base, melhora na intensidade média da dor, descontinuidade devido a efeitos adversos, efeitos adversos graves e qualquer efeito adverso. 
CONCLUSÃO: Não foram encontradas evidências de alta qualidade quanto à avaliação dos desfechos de eficácia, segurança ou de efeitos adversos relacionados ao uso de tratamentos derivados da cannabis no manejo de dor crônica, não podendo ser produzidas recomendações ou restrições nesses aspectos, ficando o uso dessas modalidades terapêuticas sujeito a análise individual.

Palavras-chave

Canabidiol, Cannabis, Dor crônica, Dronabinol, Revisão sistemática

References

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Submitted date:
07/06/2023

Accepted date:
10/11/2023

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