Pubdate: Wed, 09 Nov 2005
Source: Independent  (UK)
Copyright: 2005 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.independent.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/209
Author: Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor

CANNABIS COULD RELIEVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PAIN

Cannabis-based drugs could be used to relieve the pain of arthritis
sufferers. The world's most popular recreational drug after tobacco
and alcohol has already been shown to have a role in the treatment of
multiple sclerosis. Other studies suggest it may help treat gut
disorders such as Crohn's disease and could even be used as an
appetite suppressant.

Researchers said yesterday that the latest study to examine its effect
in rheumatoid arthritis found it significantly reduced pain and
suppressed the disease. The finding raises hopes for 600,000 sufferers
in the UK.

Doctors at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath
gave the cannabis-based medicine Sativex to 31 randomly selected
patients with rheumatoid arthritis and compared them with a similar
number of controls. Those given the active drug had significant
improvements in pain relief, quality of sleep and reducing
inflammation of the joints.

The findings are published online today in the journal Rheumatology.
Ronald Jubb, one of the researchers, said: "While the [improvements]
are small and variable across the patient group, they represent
benefits of clinical relevance and indicate the need for more detailed
investigations through larger trials".

Cannabis-based drugs could be used to relieve the pain of arthritis
sufferers. The world's most popular recreational drug after tobacco
and alcohol has already been shown to have a role in the treatment of
multiple sclerosis. Other studies suggest it may help treat gut
disorders such as Crohn's disease and could even be used as an
appetite suppressant.

Researchers said yesterday that the latest study to examine its effect
in rheumatoid arthritis found it significantly reduced pain and
suppressed the disease. The finding raises hopes for 600,000 sufferers
in the UK.

Doctors at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath
gave the cannabis-based medicine Sativex to 31 randomly selected
patients with rheumatoid arthritis and compared them with a similar
number of controls. Those given the active drug had significant
improvements in pain relief, quality of sleep and reducing
inflammation of the joints. The findings are published online today in
the journal Rheumatology. Ronald Jubb, one of the researchers, said:
"While the [improvements] are small and variable across the patient
group, they represent benefits of clinical relevance and indicate the
need for more detailed investigations through larger trials".
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MAP posted-by: Derek