Cannabis Use and Analgesic Prescribing in UK Primary Care: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Patients with Osteoarthritis.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study aims to assess differences in analgesia prescribing in UK primary care between individuals with osteoarthritis who have a recorded exposure to cannabis use and those who do not.

Methods

This population-based retrospective cohort study included opioid-naïve patients with osteoarthritis (aged 25-85 years) who were active in Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum between 1 January 1995 and 15 December 2023. Patients with osteoarthritis who had current or historic cannabis use recorded were matched to two unexposed individuals by age, sex, smoking status, and health authority. Patients were followed up to assess prescriptions of analgesia. Cox regression was performed adjusted for age, sex, and ethnicity.

Results

662 exposed patients were matched

SUBMITTER: Erridge S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12641637 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature