Cannabis som smärtlindring vid långvarig smärta : En litteraturöversikt med systematisk ansats

Sammanfattning: Background: Medicinal cannabis is regularly used as treatment for chronic pain in different parts of the world. Cannabis is not an approved treatment for chronic pain in Sweden even though a demand is seen from the affected population. In Europe 19% of the adult population suffers from chronic pain. Aim: To investigate whether scientific evidence exists for the analgesic effect of medical cannabis and its impact on the quality of life of people suffering from long-term pain. Method: A literature review with a systematic approach. Result: Cannabis has a pain relieving effect within the group of patients suffering from long-term pain. The patients reported a better effect of their previous pain treatment and in some cases could reduce their opioid intake. A mixture of the cannabinoids Tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, and Cannabidiol, CBD, was most effective against pain as opposed to THC alone. There is some indication that cannabis has a positive effect regarding quality of life, primarily due its positive effect on sleep quality. Conclusion: Long-term pain has a negative impact on the individual's independence and quality of life according to Henderson's (1964) Need theory. Individual adjustment is central to the treatment of long-term pain. There are indications for the use of cannabis as an adjunct to long-term pain. Opioids are associated with serious risks such as deaths caused by respiratory failure, addiction, and side effects such as constipation. Cannabis is not associated with similar risks and side effects and can aid patients to lower their opioid dose. Some indication exist for the positive effects of cannabis regarding certain quality of life factors such as sleep. Given the large societal and health care costs that are associated with long-term pain, combined with the difficulties of achieving an adequate level of pain relief, cannabis should not be overlooked as an alternative for continued research and treatment.