Abstracts

Rationale: Patients with epilepsy may turn to alternative treatments such as marijuana to manage both their epilepsy and medication side-effects. The legalization of recreational marijuana by the Canadian government in 2018 increased accessibility and awareness, despite a lack of evidence that it is beneficial for epilepsy patients. The goal of our study is to review the use of marijuana in patients with epilepsy in Canada.

Methods: A Canadian cross-sectional survey was launched to investigate if marijuana is used, usage habits, and perceptions of marijuana, in patients suffering from epilepsy. The survey included information regarding medical history, perceptions of cannabis use, usage habits, perceived benefits, and side effects.

Results: 100 surveys were obtained three weeks after the study was launched. 76.0% (n=76) were female, 84.0% (n=84) were completed by the participants and the most common ethnicity was white (96.9%; n=93) followed by 3.1% (n=3) Indigenous. The mean age of the participants was 32.2 years (IQR=25-40). The duration of their epilepsy was over 10 years in 56.6% (n=56) and the most common seizure frequency is less than once per month 50.0% (n=49). The most common type of seizures is generalized (58.5%; n=55). Of adults surveyed, 88.2% (n=60) reported some level of distress associated with epilepsy-related quality of life. 88.9% (n=8) of pediatric patients experienced limitations in their social lives to some degree because of epilepsy. The majority of patients believe that marijuana is somewhat beneficial (52.5%; n=52) or very beneficial (26.3%; n=26) for patients with epilepsy. From the total participants, 77.0% (n=77) of participants have used marijuana and 33.3% (n=21) of users report using it because of their epilepsy. Buying marijuana at a dispensary without a prescription was the most common way of obtaining it (61.3%; n=38). The preferred method was smoking (29.5%; n=18) and 7.42 grams (IQR=2-7) is the mean dose per week. 37.7% (n=23) use marijuana multiple times per day. 62.1% (n=36) of marijuana users feel more comfortable using marijuana compared to other pharmaceuticals because it is "natural," though 62.1% (n=36) have felt the need to hide marijuana usage from others, including medical professionals. The users reported a mean 50.2%(IQR=9.75-76.50) beneficial effect on seizures after using marijuana. 46.4% (n=26) of users reported side-effects from marijuana use including problems with memory or concentration (50.0%; n=13) and anxiety (46.2%; n=12). 89.8%(n=53) of marijuana users and 68.2% (n=15) of non-marijuana users felt that there was stigma towards people who use marijuana, although 70.7%(n=41) of users and 68.2% (n=15) of non-users believe that stigma has lessened since legalization in Canada. 78.0% (n=46) of users and 45.5% (n=10) of non-users have discussed using marijuana with a doctor.

Conclusions: Marijuana is a common concern in patients and caregivers of patients with epilepsy. These results suggest that more data is required on the use of marijuana in the Canadian population suffering epilepsy and clinical counselling is recommended.

Funding: Please list any funding that was received in support of this abstract.: N/A.