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Z Gastroenterol 2021; 59(10): 1068-1077
DOI: 10.1055/a-1400-2768
Originalarbeit

Cannabis use of patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Germany: a cross-sectional survey

Cannabiskonsum von Patienten mit chronisch entzündlichen Darmerkrankungen in Deutschland: eine Querschnittserhebung
Tanja Neufeld
1   Department for Internal and Integrative Medicine, Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
2   Chair for Integrative Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Bamberg, Germany
,
Katrin Pfuhlmann
1   Department for Internal and Integrative Medicine, Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
2   Chair for Integrative Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Bamberg, Germany
,
Beate Stock-Schröer
3   University of Witten/Herdecke, Faculty of Health/Department of Human Medicine, Witten/Herdecke, Germany
,
Lana Kairey
1   Department for Internal and Integrative Medicine, Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
,
Nina Bauer
1   Department for Internal and Integrative Medicine, Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
2   Chair for Integrative Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Bamberg, Germany
,
Winfried Häuser
4   Department for Internal Medicine, Klinikum Saarbruecken, Saarbruecken, Germany
,
Jost Langhorst
1   Department for Internal and Integrative Medicine, Sozialstiftung Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
2   Chair for Integrative Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Bamberg, Germany
› Author AffiliationsSupported by: The on-board funds of the chair for Integrative Medicine
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Abstract

Background and Aims Progressive legalization and increasing utilization of medical cannabis open up potential new applications, including for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to collect current figures on the use of and experience with cannabis among IBD patients in Germany.

Methods A 71-item questionnaire was mailed to a randomly selected representative sample of 1000 IBD patients.

Results Questionnaires were returned by 417 patients (mean age 49.1 ± 17.0 years; 55.8 % women; 43.4 % ulcerative colitis and 54.7 % Crohn’s disease). Seventy-three respondents (17.5 %) stated past cannabis use for recreational purposes, while 12 users mentioned usage at the time the questionnaire was completed (2.9 %). Seventeen patients (4.1 %) indicated past use of cannabis, and 18 participants (4.3 %) reported current use of cannabis to treat IBD. Perceived benefits of cannabis use by its users included reduced abdominal pain, improved sleep quality, and relief of unease and worry. They reported lower quality of life and higher levels of anxiety or depression than non-users. Of notice, 52.9 % of cannabis users obtained their cannabis from the black market. A total of 76.5 % of former and 50 % of current users did not report their cannabis use to the physician.

Conclusion This survey reveals the largest data set on cannabis use among IBD patients in Germany, with the potential for further research. Cannabis is mainly procured from the black market, with unknown quality.

Zusammenfassung

Die fortschreitende Legalisierung und zunehmende Nutzung von medizinischem Cannabis eröffnet potenzielle neue Anwendungsgebiete, z. B. im Bereich der entzündlichen Darmerkrankungen (CED). Ziel dieser Studie war es, aktuelle Zahlen über den Gebrauch von und die Erfahrungen mit Cannabis bei IBD-Patienten in Deutschland zu erheben. Ein 71 Punkte umfassender Fragebogen wurde an eine zufällig ausgewählte repräsentative Stichprobe von 1000 CED-Patienten verschickt. Die Fragebögen wurden von 417 Patienten zurückgeschickt (Durchschnittsalter 49,1 ± 17,0 Jahre, 55,8 % Frauen, 43,4 % Colitis ulcerosa und 54,7 % Morbus Crohn). 73 Befragte (17,5 %) gaben an, in der Vergangenheit Cannabis zu Freizeitzwecken konsumiert zu haben, während 12 Nutzer den Konsum zum Zeitpunkt des ausfüllens des Fragebogens erwähnten (2,9 %). 17 Patienten (4,1 %) gaben einen früheren Cannabiskonsum an, und 18 Teilnehmer (4,3 %) berichteten über einen aktuellen Cannabiskonsum zur Behandlung von CED. Zu den von den Nutzern wahrgenommenen Vorteilen des Cannabiskonsums gehörten: eine Reduzierung der Bauchschmerzen, eine Verbesserung der Schlafqualität und eine Linderung von Unruhe und Ängsten. Sie berichteten über eine geringere Lebensqualität und ein höheres Maß an Ängsten oder Depressionen als Nicht-Konsumenten. Auffällig war, dass 52,9 % der Cannabiskonsumenten ihr Cannabis vom Schwarzmarkt bezogen. Insgesamt 76,5 % der ehemaligen und 50 % der aktuellen Konsumenten meldeten ihren Cannabiskonsum nicht dem behandelnden Arzt. Diese Umfrage zeigt die größte Erhebung in Deutschland zum Thema Cannabiskonsum bei CED-Patienten, mit Potenzial für weitere Forschung. Cannabis wird hauptsächlich auf dem Schwarzmarkt beschafft, mit unbekannter Qualität.

Key words

inflammatory bowel disease - cannabinoids - endocannabinoid system

Schlüsselwörter

chronisch entzündliche Darmerkrankung - Colitis ulcerosa - Morbus crohn

Supplement



Publication History

Received: 04 December 2020

Accepted: 24 February 2021

Article published online:
22 June 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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