Are cannabinoids effective in multiple sclerosis?

Medwave. 2017 Mar 10;17(Suppl1):e6865. doi: 10.5867/medwave.2017.6865.
[Article in Spanish, English]

Abstract

Multiple beneficial effects have been proposed lately for cannabinoids in different clinical situations. Among them, it has been postulated they would control symptoms of multiple sclerosis. However, there is no consensus about their real clinical role. To answer this question, we searched in Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by screening multiple databases. We identified 25 systematic reviews including 35 studies overall, of which 26 were randomized trials. We extracted data, conducted a meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach. We concluded cannabinoids in multiple sclerosis do not reduce spasticity or pain, and are probably associated to frequent adverse effects.

En el último tiempo, se han descrito diversos beneficios con el uso de cannabinoides en diferentes situaciones clínicas. Dentro de ellas se ha planteado un posible efecto en el control de la esclerosis múltiple, pero la real utilidad clínica es tema de debate. Para responder a esta pregunta utilizamos la base de datos Epistemonikos, la cual es mantenida mediante búsquedas en múltiples bases de datos. Identificamos 25 revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyen 35 estudios que responden la pregunta de interés, entre ellos 26 estudios aleatorizados. Extrajimos los datos, realizamos un metanálisis y preparamos una tabla de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. Concluimos que el uso de cannabinoides en esclerosis múltiple no reduce la espasticidad ni el dolor, y probablemente se asocia a efectos adversos frecuentes.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cannabinoids / adverse effects
  • Cannabinoids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology
  • Muscle Spasticity / drug therapy*
  • Muscle Spasticity / etiology
  • Pain / drug therapy
  • Pain / etiology
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Cannabinoids