To date, few studies have assessed the efficacy and safety of Cannabinoids, compounds derived from the Cannabis plant, in patients with Crohn's disease. Our study seeks to pilot a randomized, placebo-controlled trial assessing the efficacy and safety of oral cannabinoids as an adjunct therapy in patients with Crohn's disease.
Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory disease which can affect any portion of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the perianal area. Symptoms depend on location of the disease, however, many patients experience some aspect of recurrent abdominal pain, nausea, emesis, and unintentional weight loss. A common and challenging dilemma is how to manage patients who continue to have some degree of symptoms despite a common treatment regimen typically consisting of corticosteroids, thiopurines, methotrexate, or anti-TNF alpha therapies. With the recent wave of medicinal cannabis legalization in many states, many patients have begun using cannabis or commercially available cannabidiol-containing compounds as an adjunct therapy for their symptoms related to chronic inflammation and pain.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Administration of one oral 25-mg capsule of Cannabidiol daily for a duration of 12 weeks
Administration of one oral placebo capsule daily for a duration of 12 weeks
CDAI (Clinical Disease Activity Index) score
A statistically significant decrease in CDAI score. The short CDAI score will be utilized for this study. This validated score consists of three subjective, patient-derived measures: (1) number of liquid or soft stools each day for 7 days (2) the sum of seven daily abdominal pain ratings (3) the sum of seven general well-being ratings. The calculation of CDAI score will be as follows: Short CDAI = 44 + (2 × the number of liquid or soft stools each day for 7 days) + \[5 × the sum of seven daily abdominal pain ratings (0 = none, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe)\] + \[7 × the sum of seven general well-being ratings (0 = generally well, 1 = slightly under par, 2 = poor, 3 = very poor, 4 = terrible). Outcome measures considered to be consistent with benefit from intervention includes either (1) disease remission (CDAI less than 150) or (2) CDAI score reduction of 60 points.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Fecal calprotectin
A statistically significant decrease in fecal calprotectin
Time frame: 12 weeks
Morbidity
Rates of hospitalization and adverse events
Time frame: 12 weeks
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