Skip to content
DraconiticResearch
Search Sources API
185,139 studies31 sourcesUpdated 24 min ago
Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0Arthritis Care & Research

Perceived Impacts and Predictors of Cannabis Products Used by Patients with Rheumatologic Conditions in Alberta, Canada: A Multivariable Analysis of Cross‐Sectional Survey Data

  • Susan Zhang1
  • Samuel A.J. Lowe2
  • Frank Sun1
  • Allyson Jones3
  • Tarek Turk4
  • Joanne Olson5
  • Pauline Paul5
  • Shelby Yamamoto2
  • Linda Kolewaski6
  • Elaine Yacyshyn4
  • Cheryl A. Sadowski1
6 affiliations
  1. 1Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
  2. 2School of Public Health University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
  3. 3Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
  4. 4Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
  5. 5Faculty of Nursing University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
  6. 6Patient Representative Alberta Canada
Read full textDOICite

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to characterize cannabis product choices (cannabinoid content and formulation) among patients with rheumatologic conditions and their associations with patient factors, patient‐reported perceived side effects, and positive impacts.

Methods: An online survey (delivered from March to November 2022) was distributed by Alberta Health Services to patients with rheumatologic conditions in Alberta. Correlation matrices were used to analyze associations between cannabinoid content and formulations reportedly used with patient factors and patient‐reported outcomes. Efficacy outcomes (eg, pain, sleep, mood) were grouped into a composite positive impact score, and side effects were grouped into central nervous system–activating, dampening, and sensory effects.

Results: Data from 1,436 respondents who indicated cannabis use and provided information on their rheumatologic condition, cannabinoid content, and formulations that they use were analyzed. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)‐cannabidiol (CBD)–balanced products were associated with higher positive impact scores (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18–2.63). THC‐dominant products were also associated with high dampening (aOR 1.85, 95% CI 1.16–2.98) and sensory effects (aOR 2.16, 95% CI 1.27–3.70). Dried cannabis and edibles were associated with higher positive impact scores (dried cannabis: aOR 1.86, 95% CI 1.07–3.23; edibles: aOR 2.18, 95% CI 1.41–3.37). Dried cannabis was also associated with high dampening (aOR 1.98, 95% CI 1.19–3.27) and sensory effects (aOR 3.05, 95% CI 1.67–5.58). Cannabis product choice varied by age, gender, comorbidities, prior cannabis experience, frequency of use, reasons for use, access to cannabis prescription, and source of cannabis information.

Conclusion: There is significant variability in cannabis products used by patients with rheumatologic conditions, who are influenced by patient‐specific factors. Balancing THC and CBD content may facilitate positive impact while lowering the risk for side effects. Dried cannabis may pose more side effects compared to other formulations.

Related

  1. Perceived HIV-related stigma, mental health conditions and sexualized drug use among men who have sex with men living with HIV in Chongqing, China: a cross-sectional study
    Huailiang Chen, Yingxin Luo, Panhao Yang +1
    Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and PolicyPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textEpidemiology & public healthDOAJ
  2. A community survey of reported deaths and perceived disability associated with potentially untreated surgical conditions in a rural–urban population in Lagos, Nigeria: a SOSAS survey
    O A Elebute, T O Odugbemi, O B Bankole +18
    BMC Public HealthPeer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0Epidemiology & public healthCrossref
  3. The Knowledge‐Practice Gap in Prescribing: A Study of Perceptual and Experiential Predictors at Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital, Ethiopia—A Cross‐Sectional Study
    Olana Daba, Tesfa Gebremeskel, Abdurrahman Kalu +1
    Health science reportsPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textGeneral medicineEurope PMC
  4. Local food system-related predictors of food security among lactating women in rural central Oromia, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.
    Tamiru Yazew, Dirreba Gemeda Lali, Girma Beressa +2
    BMJ openPeer-reviewedCC BY-NCFull textGeneral medicineEurope PMCCrossref
  5. Predictors of Intentions to Learn and Adopt Medical Artificial Intelligence Among Healthcare Professionals in Ghana: A Descriptive Cross‐Sectional Study
    Godwin Adzakpah, Daniel Kwame Kwansah Quansah, Mavis Puopelle Dakorah +10
    Health science reportsPeer-reviewedCC BY-NCFull textGeneral medicineEurope PMC

Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{zhang2026perceived,
  title = {{Perceived Impacts and Predictors of Cannabis Products Used by Patients with Rheumatologic Conditions in Alberta, Canada: A Multivariable Analysis of Cross‐Sectional Survey Data}},
  author = {Susan Zhang and Samuel A.J. Lowe and Frank Sun and Allyson Jones and Tarek Turk and Joanne Olson and Pauline Paul and Shelby Yamamoto and Linda Kolewaski and Elaine Yacyshyn and Cheryl A. Sadowski},
  journal = {Arthritis Care \& Research},
  year = {2026},
  month = jun,
  doi = {10.1002/acr.80071},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.80071},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Perceived Impacts and Predictors of Cannabis Products Used by Patients with Rheumatologic Conditions in Alberta, Canada: A Multivariable Analysis of Cross‐Sectional Survey Data
AU  - Susan Zhang
AU  - Samuel A.J. Lowe
AU  - Frank Sun
AU  - Allyson Jones
AU  - Tarek Turk
AU  - Joanne Olson
AU  - Pauline Paul
AU  - Shelby Yamamoto
AU  - Linda Kolewaski
AU  - Elaine Yacyshyn
AU  - Cheryl A. Sadowski
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/06/10
JO  - Arthritis Care & Research
DO  - 10.1002/acr.80071
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.80071
AB  - Objective: This study aimed to characterize cannabis product choices (cannabinoid content and formulation) among patients with rheumatologic conditions and their associations with patient factors, patient‐reported perceived side effects, and positive impacts.  Methods: An online survey (delivered from March to November 2022) was distributed by Alberta Health Services to patients with rheumatologic conditions in Alberta. Correlation matrices were used to analyze associations between cannabinoid content and formulations reportedly used with patient factors and patient‐reported outcomes. Efficacy outcomes (eg, pain, sleep, mood) were grouped into a composite positive impact score, and side effects were grouped into central nervous system–activating, dampening, and sensory effects.  Results: Data from 1,436 respondents who indicated cannabis use and provided information on their rheumatologic condition, cannabinoid content, and formulations that they use were analyzed. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)‐cannabidiol (CBD)–balanced products were associated with higher positive impact scores (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18–2.63). THC‐dominant products were also associated with high dampening (aOR 1.85, 95% CI 1.16–2.98) and sensory effects (aOR 2.16, 95% CI 1.27–3.70). Dried cannabis and edibles were associated with higher positive impact scores (dried cannabis: aOR 1.86, 95% CI 1.07–3.23; edibles: aOR 2.18, 95% CI 1.41–3.37). Dried cannabis was also associated with high dampening (aOR 1.98, 95% CI 1.19–3.27) and sensory effects (aOR 3.05, 95% CI 1.67–5.58). Cannabis product choice varied by age, gender, comorbidities, prior cannabis experience, frequency of use, reasons for use, access to cannabis prescription, and source of cannabis information.  Conclusion: There is significant variability in cannabis products used by patients with rheumatologic conditions, who are influenced by patient‐specific factors. Balancing THC and CBD content may facilitate positive impact while lowering the risk for side effects. Dried cannabis may pose more side effects compared to other formulations.
SN  - 2151-464X
SN  - 2151-4658
ER  -