Evaluation of the use of different forms of medical cannabis in the treatment of fibromyalgia: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review, based on randomised controlled trials (RCTs), some forms of medical cannabis (nabilone, tetrahydrocannabinol-rich oil, and Bediol) in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).

METHODS

According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses diagram for systematic reviews (SRs), the PICO strategy was delimited, and articles with entry terms (medical subject headings) referring to 'medicinal cannabis' and 'fibromyalgia' were searched in the following databases: Medline, via PubMed; Embase; Central, via Cochrane; and Scopus, via Elsevier. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) patients of any age, gender, or ethnicity diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR 1990, 2010, or 2016); (2) undergoing treatment with some type of medical cannabis, regardless of the route of administration, dosage, or duration of treatment (except single dose), compared with current therapy or placebo; and (3) RCTs, blinded or not, published in any language, without time restriction.

RESULTS

Only 4 articles were eligible for the production of this SR. From them, it was not possible to infer the real impact after the use of 3 forms of medical cannabis (alone or associated with another therapy) on disease, pain, or insomnia.

CONCLUSIONS

It is not possible to conclude whether different forms of medical cannabis are an effective and safe therapeutic option for the treatment of FMS symptoms, with tolerable adverse effects. This prescription should be made individually for each patient.