Introduction: The growing interest of cannabidiol (CBD) in medical care prompted French health authorities to explore the potential of CBD in cancer-related severe symptoms. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of CBD use among cancer patients with potential associated factors and to measure the cancer patient's health literacy (HL) on CBD consumption.
Methods: In a prospective study in oncology day-care hospital including patients from 29 October to 20 December 2021, we collected demographic, biological, and oncological characteristics. Patient CBD HL was measured by the hetero-questionnaire 8-item-CBD HL scale (HLS-8-CBD) whose conception has been validated by a psychometric analysis.
Results: Among 363 participants, 20 patients (5.5%) reported CBD use. Factors associated with CBD use were: age <60 years (odd ratio = 7.80[1.36-13.32], p < 10-4 versus ≥60 years), smoking history (OR = 5.53[1.81-16.88], p < 0.01), and no smoking cessation (OR = 5.07[1.66-15.46], p < 0.01). CBD use was also associated with a better CBD total HL score than non-users (p-value = 0.02).
Conclusion: Identification of factors associated with CBD use and a relatively high patient CBD HL in CBD users showed that CBD use in cancer patients care represented a new concern and should enhance health professionals to consider CBD with its associated drug-related problems.
Keywords: Cannabidiol; alternative care; health literacy; patient supportive care.