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Choosing between NSAID and arnica for topical treatment of hand osteoarthritis in a randomised, double-blind study

Rheumatology International volume 27, pages 585–591 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

The use of topical preparations for symptom relief is common in osteoarthritis. The effects of ibuprofen (5%) and arnica (50 g tincture/100 g, DER 1:20), as gel preparations in patients with radiologically confirmed and symptomatically active osteoarthritis of interphalangeal joints of hands, were evaluated in a randomised, double-blind study in 204 patients, to ascertain differences in pain relief and hand function after 21 days’ treatment. Diagnosis was according to established criteria; primary endpoints were pain intensity and hand function; statistical design was as per current regulatory guidelines for testing topical preparations. There were no differences between the two groups in pain and hand function improvements, or in any secondary end points evaluated. Adverse events were reported by six patients (6.1%) on ibuprofen and by five patients (4.8%) on arnica. Our results confirm that this preparation of arnica is not inferior to ibuprofen when treating osteoarthritis of hands.

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Acknowledgments

RS conceived the overall project plan. RW was the Principal Investigator. The following doctors treated and evaluated patients in the 20 study clinics: D. Kähler (Wil); R. Widrig (St Gallen); D. Geiger (Au); S. Bachmann (Valens); H. Martin (Gossau); M. Burla (Zürich); B. Kindler (Zürich); M. Senn (Zürich); U. Aufdenblatten (Zürich); H. Sajdl (Zürich); K. Grimm (Dietikon); E. Zeley-Zimonyi (Zürich); M. Steigbügel (Wald); U. Pachlatko (Ebmatingen); M. Tejero (Baden); B. Haldemann (Küttigen); H. Maurer (St Gallen); F. Akermann (Buchs); F. Jaggi (Zürich); A. Stevka (Zürich); H. Steinemann (St Gallen). Statistical analysis was conducted by DSH Statistical Services GmbH, Germany.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rheumatology Clinic, 9004, St Gallen, Switzerland

    Reto Widrig

  2. Bioforce AG, 9325, Roggwil, Switzerland

    Andy Suter

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Complementary Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland

    Reinhard Saller & Jörg Melzer

Authors
  1. Reto Widrig
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  2. Andy Suter
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  3. Reinhard Saller
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  4. Jörg Melzer
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Correspondence to Jörg Melzer.

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Widrig, R., Suter, A., Saller, R. et al. Choosing between NSAID and arnica for topical treatment of hand osteoarthritis in a randomised, double-blind study . Rheumatol Int 27, 585–591 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-007-0304-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-007-0304-y

Keywords

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Ibuprofen gel
  • Arnica gel
  • Randomised trial
  • Gel treatment