A survey of cannabis (marijuana) use and self-reported benefit in men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Authors

  • Dean A Tripp Queen's University
  • J Curtis Nickel Queen's University
  • Laura Katz Queen's University
  • Adrijana Krsmanovic Queen's University
  • Mark A Ware McGill University Health Centre
  • Darcy Santor University of Ottawa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.2268

Keywords:

chronic prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, cannabis, quality of life, depression

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a chronic pelvic pain condition largely refractory to treatment. Cannabis (marijuana) use has been reported for a wide variety of chronic pain conditions, but no study has examined prevalence of cannabis use, symptom benefit or side effects, or frequency in CP/CPPS.

Methods: Participants were recruited from an outpatient CP/CPPS urology clinic (n = 98) and online through the Prostatitis Foundation website (n = 244). Participants completed questionnaires (demographics, CP/CPPS, depression, cannabis).

Results: The clinic sample included Canadian patients and the online sample included primarily American patients. Due to differences, groups were examined separately. Almost 50% of respondents reported using cannabis (clinic n = 49; online n = 89). Of the cannabis users, 36.8% of clinic and 75% of online respondents reported that it improved their symptoms. Most of the respondents (from the clinic and online groups) reported that cannabis improved their mood, pain, muscle spasms, and sleep. However, they did not note any improvements for weakness, fatigue, numbness, ambulation, and urination. Overall, the effectiveness of cannabis for CP/CPPS was “somewhat/very effective” (57% clinic; 63% online). There were no differences between side effects or choice of consumptionand most reported using cannabis rarely.

Conclusions: These are the first estimates in men suffering from CP/CPPS and suggest that while cannabis use is prevalent, its medical use and benefit are unknown. This is an understudied area and the benefit or hazard for cannabis use awaits further study.

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Author Biographies

Dean A Tripp, Queen's University

Departments of Psychology, Anesthesiology & Urology

J Curtis Nickel, Queen's University

Department of Urology

Laura Katz, Queen's University

Department of Psychology

Adrijana Krsmanovic, Queen's University

Department of Psychology

Mark A Ware, McGill University Health Centre

Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit

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Published

2014-12-15

How to Cite

Tripp, D. A., Nickel, J. C., Katz, L., Krsmanovic, A., Ware, M. A., & Santor, D. (2014). A survey of cannabis (marijuana) use and self-reported benefit in men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Canadian Urological Association Journal, 8(11-12), e901–5. https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.2268

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 11-12 (2014): CUAJ December

Section

Original Research

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