Topic Suggestion Description

View Topic Suggestion Disposition (PDF)

Briefly describe a specific question, or set of related questions, about a health care test or treatment that this program should consider.

How to relieve pain caused by arthritis? In asking around I discovered that a friends mother in Hawaii uses a copper band around here ankle. When the skin is discolored by the copper, the pain is reduced eventually to the point where it is eliminated. She also developed arthritis in the knees. In this case she soaked Marijuana in denatured alcohol to make a "yellow tea". When rubbed on the knees, the pain disappeared immediately. Has this therapy been investigated? Is it legal? (Obviously the marijuana cannot be either smoked or ingested after being soaked in denatured alcohol, but ...)

Does your question include a comparison of different health care approaches? (If no, your topic will still be considered.)

yes

If yes, explain the specific technologies, devices, drugs, or interventions you would like to see compared:

Copper vs Marijuana

What patients or group(s) of patients does your question apply to? (Please include specific details such as age range, gender, coexisting diagnoses, and indications for therapy.)

Any having paid due to arthritis.

Are there subgroups of patients that your question might apply to? (For example, an ethnic group, stage or severity of a disease.)

All Subgroups.

Describe the health-related benefits you are interested in. (For example, improvements in patient symptoms or problems from treatment or diagnosis.)

Reduction or elimination of pain due to Arthritis.

Describe any health-related risks, side effects, or harms that you are concerned about.

None known at this time.

Appropriateness for EHC Program

Does your question include a health care drug, intervention, device, or technology available (or likely to be available) in the U.S.?

unsure

Which priority area(s) and population(s) does this topic apply to? (check all that apply)

EHC Priority Conditions (updated in 2008)

• Arthritis and nontraumatic joint disorders

AHRQ Priority Populations

• Low income groups
• Minority groups
• Women
• Children
• Elderly

Federal Health Care Program

Importance

Describe why this topic is important.

Arthritis pain decreases the mobility of the sufferer, often to the point that they are bed-ridden.

What specifically motivated you to ask this question? (For example, you are developing a clinical guideline, working with a policy with large uncertainty about the appropriate approach, costly intervention, new research you have read, items in the media you may have seen, a clinical practice dilemma you know of, etc.)

My wife has arthritis in the knees and one ankle. She has difficult going more than 100 yards without excessive pain.

Does your question represent uncertainty for clinicians and/or policy-makers? (For example, variations in clinical care, controversy in what constitutes appropriate clinical care, or a policy decision.)

yes

If yes, please explain:

The items involved are currently restricted. There is no information on potency required for pain relief.

Potential Impact

How will an answer to your research question be used or help inform decisions for you or your group?

It will benefit my wife, and possibly provide a useful method of reducing her pain.

Describe the timeframe in which an answer to your question is needed.

Now. A few months.

Describe any health disparities, inequities, or impact on vulnerable populations your question applies to.

None known. The combination is inexpensive.

Nominator Information

Other Information About You: (optional)

Please choose a description that best describes your role or perspective: (you may select more than one category if appropriate)

• Other

Are you making a suggestion as an individual or on behalf of an organization?

Individual

Please tell us how you heard about the Effective Health Care program

On the internet.