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WAM Essentials, Inc.
Systemic Enzyme Therapy
... Allowing You to Live Your Passion!™ |
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Short-Term
Treatment of Painful Osteoarthritis of the Knee with Oral
Enzymes
A Randomised, Double-Blind Study versus Diclofenac
Klein G.1,2 and Kullich W.2
1 Rehabilitation Center for Rheumatic and Cardiovascular Diseases,
Saalfelden, Austria
2 Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rehabilitation of Internal
Diseases, Saalfelden, Austria
Clinical Drug Investigation, 2000, Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 15-23
- ISSN 1173-2563
PZ 18 (4-03-1)
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Abstract
Objective: To compare the short-term efficacy and tolerability
of an oral enzyme therapy with the NSAID diclofenac in
patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee (gonarthritis).
Methods: In a double-blind clinical trial,
73 patients with painful gonarthritis were randomised to
receive 3 weeks of treatment with an oral enzyme preparation
containing bromelain, trypsin and rutin (n = 36), or the
NSAID diclofenac (n = 37). Efficacy was primarily evaluated
using the Lequesne index (measuring pain and function of
the affected knee). Other investigations included assessment
of pain symptoms using a visual analogue scale (VAS), global
assessment of efficacy and tolerability (by both patients
and one physician), and various laboratory parameters.
Patients were evaluated at baseline, at weekly intervals
throughout the 3-week treatment period, and at 7 weeks
(i.e. 4 weeks after discontinuing therapy).
Results: The Lequesne index improved continuously
in both groups: from 13.56 at baseline to 3.10 after 3 weeks
(end of therapy) to 2.05 at 7 weeks (follow-up) in the enzyme
group, and from 14.04 to 3.50 to 2.24, respectively, in the
diclofenac group. Statistical evaluation showed the treatment
groups to be equivalent; the lower bound of the 95% confidence
interval of the Mann-Whitney estimator was above 0.44 (the
limit for equivalence) at all time points. Global assessment
of efficacy and tolerability of the drugs was 'very good' or
'good' for the majority patients.
Conclusions: Short-term evaluation indicates that oral enzymes
may be considered an effective and safe alternative to NSAIDs
such as diclofenac in the treatment of painful gonarthritis.
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Inc. All Rights Reserved.
None of the material contained herein may be reproduced without
the prior written consent of WAM Essentials, Inc. |
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