Topical cannabis cream reduced itching significantly in adults with CKD-related pruritus
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Key takeaways:
- At 4 weeks, itching intensity scores decreased from 6.7 to 2.6 in the cannabis cream group.
- By comparison, scores fell from 6.7 to 3.6 in the placebo group during the same time.
A topical cream containing cannabis “significantly reduced the severity of itching” symptoms in patients with chronic kidney disease-related pruritus, according to published data.
Many cannabinoid-containing products “have potential uses in a variety of dermatological conditions, such as acne vulgaris, allergic dermatitis, psoriasis and pruritus,” Suthiya Anumas, MD, of the Thammasat University Chulabhorn International College of Medicine in Thailand, wrote with colleagues. “One particularly interesting effect is the antipruritic effect, which has been infrequently studied, especially in patients with uremic pruritus.”
Patients with end-stage kidney disease who were on chronic hemodialysis three times per week for more than 90 days were included in a double-blind study. Of the 60 patients in the cohort, all had a score of 3 or higher on the Worst Itching Intensity Numerical Rating Scale. Mean age was 61.6 years, and mean baseline itching intensity score was 6.7. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or the cannabis cream to compare the efficacy of the cannabis cream. The main outcome was itching intensity at week 4.
At the 4-week marker, itching intensity scores decreased to 2.6 in the cannabis cream group and 3.6 in the placebo group, according to the findings, with a mean difference after adjusting for baseline of –1.1. Scores on the Skindex-10 assessment at week 4 were also lower in the cannabis cream group, Anumas and colleagues noted, but this finding was not statistically significant.
Researchers noted the small sample size and single study design may restrict the generalizability of the findings, and that variances in diabetes status could affect outcomes.
Neither group experienced adverse events.
“Various routes of cannabinoid administration can be considered to achieve these effects. However, the transdermal route emerges as a particularly advantageous option owing to the moisturizing properties inherent in the cream base,” the researchers wrote, adding that “further studies with larger sample sizes and longer durations of follow-up are suggested to ensure the reliability of the results, especially regarding itch-related quality of life.”
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