Clinical rheumatology
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Clinical rheumatology · Jul 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialA pilot randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of an extract of Artemisia annua administered over 12 weeks, for managing pain, stiffness, and functional limitation associated with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.
The objective of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of a dietary supplement, Arthrem, containing an extract from the medicinal plant Artemisia annua, on pain, stiffness, and functional limitation in osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip or knee. Forty-two patients were randomized to one of three groups (n = 14 in each group): 150-mg Artemisia annua extract (ART) twice daily (BD) (ART low dose), 300-mg ART BD (ART high dose), or placebo BD administered over 12 weeks. Efficacy was assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC®) and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. ⋯ ART has potential as an anti-inflammatory/analgesic in OA. Treatment with ART 150 mg BD is associated with clinically relevant reductions in pain over 12 weeks. Further studies are warranted.
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Clinical rheumatology · May 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of music on pain in patients with fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic syndrome characterized by diffuse musculoskeletal system pain and painful tender points in certain areas of the body. The aim of the investigation was to determine the effects of music on pain in fibromyalgia patients. This randomized clinical trial was carried out with 37 fibromyalgia outpatients as an experimental group (n = 21) and control group (n = 16) at a University Hospital Internal Medicine and Rheumatology Clinic between 1 June and 1 December 2014. ⋯ There was no significant decrease in pain among control group participants. The effect of music has been found to control pain in fibromyalgia patients. Music therapy should be suggested in pain management for fibromyalgia patients as an non-pharmacologic nursing intervention.
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Clinical rheumatology · Apr 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialPharmacokinetic properties of low-dose SoluMatrix meloxicam in healthy adults.
SoluMatrix® meloxicam has been developed using SoluMatrix Fine Particle Technology™ to produce a meloxicam drug product with enhanced absorption properties to enable treatment at lower doses than available oral meloxicam drug products. This follows recognition of serious dose-dependent adverse events (AEs) associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including meloxicam. This study investigated the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of SoluMatrix meloxicam 5-mg (fasting conditions) and 10-mg capsules (fasting and fed conditions) and compared SoluMatrix meloxicam 10-mg capsules with meloxicam 15-mg tablets under fasting conditions. ⋯ The median time to maximum plasma meloxicam levels occurred earlier following SoluMatrix meloxicam 5 mg (2.0 h) and 10 mg (2.0 h) administration vs meloxicam 15-mg tablets (4.0 h). Few study-medication-related AEs were reported. SoluMatrix meloxicam 10 mg was more rapidly absorbed and associated with a lower overall exposure compared with meloxicam 15-mg tablets in this study in healthy adults under fasting conditions.
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Clinical rheumatology · Mar 2016
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyComparison of efficacy of kinesiological taping and subacromial injection therapy in subacromial impingement syndrome.
The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of kinesiological taping and subacromial injection therapy in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS). Seventy patients diagnosed with SIS were randomly assigned to group 1 (n = 35, injection group) or group 2 (n = 35, kinesiological taping group). Betamethasone plus prilocaine was injected to subacromial space in the patients in group 1. ⋯ No significant differences were detected between the groups except for active flexion degree in favor of group 1 (p = 0.004). Both kinesiological taping and steroid injection in conjunction with an exercise program were found to be effective in the treatment of SIS. Kinesio taping may be an alternative treatment option in the rehabilitation of SIS especially when a non-invasive technique is needed.
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Clinical rheumatology · Aug 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialCombined glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, once or three times daily, provides clinically relevant analgesia in knee osteoarthritis.
We compared the analgesic efficacy and safety of glucosamine sulfate (GS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) capsules or sachet preparations with glucosamine hydrochloride (GH) and CS capsules in knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients. 1,120 subjects with radiographic knee OA (Kellgren/Lawrence 2-3) were randomized (1:1:1) at 16 centers to receive GS 500 mg/CS 400 mg three times daily capsules (GI) or once daily sachet (GII) or GH 500 mg/CS 400 mg three times daily (GIII) for a 16-week trial. Primary outcome, intention-to-treat (ITT) was change from baseline of patient reported pain intensity (0-100 mm visual analogue scale) in the affected knee and variation of Lequesne's index (LI). Monthly secondary outcomes were changes from baseline in patient reported pain and LI, patient and physician global assessments of disease activity, acetaminophen consumption, and adherence. ⋯ Patients that did not complete the study were 77 (44.8 %) for lack of adherence, 16 (9.3 %) consent withdrawal, 11 (6.4 %) adverse events, eight (4.7 %) lost to follow-up, and 17 (9.9 %) for other causes. Non-inferiority analysis found no differences among groups. This is a large study showing that GS/CS and GH/CS provide clinically meaningful and sustained analgesia in knee OA regardless of dose fractionation and capsule or sachet formulations.