Hamilton, Canada: The use of various cannabis preparations is associated with symptom relief and quality of life improvements for patients with incontinence and other lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), according to data published in the Journal of the Canadian Urological Association.
Canadian investigators from McMaster University reviewed findings from 12 relevant studies. Study participants used various cannabis formulations, including botanical cannabis and a standardized spray containing THC and CBD (Sativex/nabiximols).
Researchers reported that “LUTS improved in patients using any form of cannabis” in eleven of the twelve studies assessed. Cannabis preparations showed their greatest efficacy in patients with multiple sclerosis.
“Our review found that the use of cannabis in patients experiencing LUTS demonstrated promising symptomatic benefits, particularly in populations with MS-associated storage symptoms,” the study’s authors concluded. “Randomized trials focusing on patients-centered outcomes are needed to clarify its role in clinical practice.”
Sativex, a patented plant-derived cannabis medicine, is available by prescription for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in numerous countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom. However, the drug is not approved for use in the United States.
Full text of the study, “Benefits of cannabis in treating lower urinary tract symptoms, A scoping review,” appears in the Journal of the Canadian Urological Association. Additional information is available from NORML’s publication Clinical Application for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.