Use of Cannabis Oil in Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia syndrome, also known simply as "fibromyalgia," is a central sensitization syndrome characterized by dysfunction of the neurocircuits responsible for the perception, transmission, and processing of nociceptive afferents, with pain predominantly manifested in the musculoskeletal system.

The link between pathophysiology and treatment is still very weak, and significant efforts are still needed to offer patients treatment targeted at the biological causes of the disease.

To date, the treatment of fibromyalgia is aimed at reducing the main symptoms and must be individualized and multidisciplinary, involving both non-pharmacological measures and, in most patients, drug therapy.

Cannabinoids or cannabinols are chemicals that share the ability to interact with cannabinoid receptors and can be of three types: endocannabinoids, synthetic cannabinoids, and phytocannabinoids.The Company Therapeutic Handbook (PTA) from the hospital pharmacy of the AOU "SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo" in Alessandria provides for the use of cannabis oil from September 2022. Considering that medical cannabis is effective in treating multiple symptoms, including pain, cachexia and wasting, sleep disorders, severe or persistent muscle spasms, and others, this study aims to analyze its use in chronic pain as the main symptom of fibromyalgia syndrome.

Inclusion criteria

• written informed consent;
• age ≥ 21 years;
• diagnosis of FM according to the 2016 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) diagnostic criteria;
• failure of previous therapies.

Exclusion criteria

• psychiatric disorders,
• history of drug or alcohol addiction,
• fatty liver disease or severe liver disease,
• severe cardiopulmonary disease,
• severe renal failure,
• pregnancy or breastfeeding.