Cannabis, Crohn Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Conditions
Brief summary
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.
Detailed description
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.
Interventions
DRUGCannabidiol
Administration of one oral 25-mg capsule of Cannabidiol daily for a duration of 12 weeks
DRUGPlacebo oral capsule
Administration of one oral placebo capsule daily for a duration of 12 weeks
Sponsors
University of Illinois at Chicago
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Age 18 or older * English-speaking * Ileal and/or ileocolonic involvement as demonstrated by most recent endoscopy * Short CDAI score \>150 * Have not received oral or intravenous steroids for \>1 month, or with stable dose for \>1 month if currently taking * Stable dose of AZA for \>1 month, if currently taking * Stable dose of anti-TNF inhibitor for \>1 month, if currently taking
Exclusion criteria
* Pregnant or intend to become pregnant in the next 6 months * Major abdominal surgery within the past 3 months
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| CDAI (Clinical Disease Activity Index) score | 12 weeks | 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. |
| Fecal calprotectin | 12 weeks | A statistically significant decrease in fecal calprotectin |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Morbidity | 12 weeks | Rates of hospitalization and adverse events |
Outcome results
None listed