Impact of Cannabis on Pain and Inflammation Among Patients With Rheumatoid or Psoriatic Arthritis

NCT ID: NCT04269993

Last Updated: 2025-04-01

Study Results

Results available

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Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

TERMINATED

Clinical Phase

PHASE2

Total Enrollment

3 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-05-18

Study Completion Date

2023-07-31

Brief Summary

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This laboratory study will investigate the impact of cannabis on pain, affect, and inflammation among patients with rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis (n = 76). Two cannabis formulations varying in potency will be administered via vaporization across two experimental sessions using a counter-balanced, double-blind, crossover design.

Detailed Description

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This laboratory study will investigate the impact of cannabis on pain, affect, and inflammation among patients with rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis (n = 76). Two cannabis formulations varying in potency will be administered via vaporization across two experimental sessions using a counter-balanced, double-blind, crossover design. Blood will be collected during each session (pre-vaporization, 10 minutes post-vaporization, 60 minutes post-vaporization). Self-reported pain and affect will be assessed at the same time points. The effect of cannabis on pain, affect, and inflammatory biomarkers will be assessed. The study will recruit 76 patients to obtain a final sample of 66 with complete data (15% attrition). This study will be the first to investigate the effect of cannabis on pain, affect, and markers of inflammation among patients with rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis. This study has the potential to guide clinical decisions pertaining to use of cannabis to treat arthritis symptoms with more precise recommendations regarding cannabis formulation.

Conditions

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Psoriatic Arthritis

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Investigators

Study Groups

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Vaporized cannabis: Placebo then Active THC

Participants are randomized to receive placebo cannabis during Session 1 and Active THC cannabis during Session 2; sessions will be separated by at least 2 days

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Cannabis: placebo and medium THC/medium CBD

Intervention Type DRUG

Vaporized cannabis was administered to participants (placebo and medium THC/medium CBD).

Vaporized cannabis: Active THC then Placebo

Participants are randomized to receive Active THC cannabis during Session 1 and placebo cannabis during Session 2; sessions will be separated by at least 2 days

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Cannabis: placebo and medium THC/medium CBD

Intervention Type DRUG

Vaporized cannabis was administered to participants (placebo and medium THC/medium CBD).

Interventions

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Cannabis: placebo and medium THC/medium CBD

Vaporized cannabis was administered to participants (placebo and medium THC/medium CBD).

Intervention Type DRUG

Other Intervention Names

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Marijuana

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. current RA or PA diagnosis with active arthritis not adequately controlled by standard medication
2. if taking prescribed steroid, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), and/or disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARDS; e.g., tumor necrosis factor inhibitors), must be stable use for at least 1 month prior to enrollment (all must be maintained throughout the study)
3. English-speaking or Spanish-speaking
4. negative urine toxicology screen
5. negative pregnancy test
6. not nursing
7. use of highly effective birth control during the study for both males and females
8. prior history of vaping or smoking cannabis

Exclusion Criteria

9. greater than zero breath alcohol concentration
10. presence of psychosis, panic disorder, or suicidal ideation or intent
11. self-report of serious adverse reaction to cannabis in the past year
12. smoking more than 20 tobacco cigarettes per day
13. body mass index below 18.0 or above 33.0 kg/m2 range confirmed during medical exam
14. all current asthma conditions (i.e., active symptomatic asthma within the last week) or current or past history of asthma triggered by smoking or vaping
15. current diagnosis of dementia or Parkinson's disease
16. below cut-off on mental status exam
17. current diagnosis of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury
18. current diagnosis of epilepsy
19. individuals who are immunocompromised (i.e., post-organ transplant, those with an immune deficiency disorder such as HIV, individuals taking immunosuppressant steroids such as continuous prednisone use, and those with lupus)
20. past kidney disease (e.g., glomerular nephritis, polycystic kidney disease) and/or presence of elevated creatinine
21. cardiac disease confirmed via clinically significant abnormal findings on an EKG (e.g., arrhythmia, conduction abnormalities, ischemia, or evidence of past myocardial infarction), as well as diagnoses of congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy
22. abnormal vital signs
23. taking any exclusionary medications
24. presence of any severe cardiovascular, renal, or hepatic disorder
25. below 18 or above 65 years of age
26. use of cannabis in the past 1 month before commencement of study participation and throughout the study as confirmed via urine toxicology screening aa) below minimum self-reported pain level on a visual analog scale (VAS) pre-study enrollment via telephone and at baseline due to potential variability in pain level
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

Brown University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Elizabeth Aston

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Elizabeth Aston, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Brown University

Locations

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Brown University School of Public Health

Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Other Identifiers

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P20GM130414

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

#1904002430

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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