Iontophoretic administration of dexamethasone sodium phosphate for acute epicondylitis. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

A better treatment modality is needed to control the pain of medial or lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).

HYPOTHESIS:

Dermal iontophoretic administration of dexamethasone sodium phosphate will be significantly more effective in controlling pain than a placebo in patients with medial or lateral elbow epicondylitis.

STUDY DESIGN:

Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.

METHODS:

On six occasions, 1 to 3 days apart within 15 days, 199 patients with elbow epicondylitis received 40 mA-minutes of either active or placebo treatment.

RESULTS:

Dexamethasone produced a significant 23-mm improvement on the 100-mm patient visual analog scale ratings, compared with 14 mm for placebo at 2 days and 24 mm compared with 19 mm at 1 month. More patients treated with dexamethasone than those treated with placebo scored moderate or better on the investigator's global improvement scale (52% versus 33%) at 2 days, but the difference was not significant at 1 month (54% versus 49%). Investigator-rated pain and tenderness scores favored dexamethasone over placebo at 2 days. Patients completing six treatments in 10 days or less had better results than those treated over a longer period.

CONCLUSIONS:

Iontophoresis treatment was well tolerated by most patients and was effective in reducing symptoms of epicondylitis at short-term follow-up.

• Authors: Robert P Nirschl, Dennis M Rodin, Derek H Ochiai, Craig Maartmann-Moe, DEX-AHE-01-99 Study Group
• Journal: The American journal of sports medicine (Am J Sports Med) 2003 Mar-Apr Vol. 31 Issue 2 Pg. 189-95 ISSN: 0363-5465 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12642251 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2003 American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• dexamethasone 21-phosphate
• Dexamethasone

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Analysis of Variance
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Chi-Square Distribution
• Dexamethasone (administration & dosage, adverse effects, analogs & derivatives)
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Drug Delivery Systems (methods)
• Female
• Humans
• Iontophoresis
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pain Measurement
• Tennis Elbow (drug therapy)
• Treatment Outcome