A Cross-Sectional Survey Study of Cannabis Use for Fibromyalgia Symptom Management

Objective: To assess the use of cannabis as a symptom management strategy for patients with fi bromyalgia. Patients and Methods: An electronic, cross-sectional survey was conducted among patients diagnosed with fi bromyalgia and treated in Integrative Medicine & Health at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. The survey was constructed with the Symptom Management Theory tool and was sent anonymously via web-based software to patients with a diagnosis of fi bromyalgia. Results: Of 5234 patients with fi bromyalgia sent the online survey, 1336 (25.5%) responded and met the inclusion criteria. Survey respondents had a median age of 48 (Q1 -Q3: 37.5-58.0) years, and most identi fi ed as female. Nearly half of respondents (49.5%, n = 661) reported cannabis use since their fi bromyalgia diagnosis. The most common symptoms for which respondents reported using cannabis were pain (98.9%, n = 654); fatigue (96.2%; n = 636); stress, anxiety, or depression (93.9%; n = 621); and insomnia (93.6%; n = 619). Improvement in pain symptoms with cannabis use was reported by 82.0% (n = 536). Most cannabis-using respondents reported that cannabis also improved symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression and of insomnia. Conclusion: Considering that cannabis is a popular choice among patients for managing fi bromyalgia symptoms, clinicians should have adequate knowledge of cannabis when discussing therapeutic options for fi bromyalgia with their patients. (c) 2024 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. center dot Mayo Clin Proc. 2024 ; 99(4):542 - 550