Abstract | INTRODUCTION: MATERIAL AND METHODS: The trial was a multicenter, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover-trial performed by ten general practitioners. The Declaration of Helsinki and the European guidelines for good clinical practice were strictly followed. One hundred and thirty-three patients with radiographically verified symptomatic osteoarthritis of the hip joints and/or the knee joints were treated with one gram of calcium ascorbate or identically looking placebo tablets. The calcium ascorbate tablets and the placebo tablets should be swallowed daily for 14 +/- 3 days respectively, separated by 7 +/- 3 days wash out. The main outcome measure was difference on the 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain in a preselected joint. The secondary outcomes were Lequesne score for function and patient preference. RESULTS: Calculated on an intention-to-treat principle, calcium ascorbate reduced pain significantly compared to placebo (p = 0.0078 by analysis of variance between groups (ANOVA) for difference in VAS, mean difference 4.6 mm (95% CI 1.2-8.0). Similar superiority was found for Lequesne index (p = 0.036, difference 0.56 (95% CI 0.04-1.08) and for patient preference (p = 0.012). DISCUSSION: The demonstrated effect is less than half as pronounced as commonly reported for NSAID etc. If the finding can be reproduced with a smaller, acceptable intake of vitamin C this would be of importance considering the large prevalence of osteoarthrosis.
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Authors | Niels Hertz Jensen |
Journal | Ugeskrift for laeger
(Ugeskr Laeger)
Vol. 165
Issue 25
Pg. 2563-6
(Jun 16 2003)
ISSN: 0041-5782 [Print] Denmark |
Vernacular Title | Faerre smerter ved slidgigt i hofte- eller knaeled under behandling med calciumascorbat. Et randomiseret, placebokontrolleret overkrydsningsforsøg i almen praksis. |
PMID | 12854267
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, English Abstract, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)
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Chemical References |
- Antioxidants
- Drug Combinations
- Tablets
- Ascorbic Acid
- Calcium
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Topics |
- Adult
- Antioxidants
(administration & dosage)
- Ascorbic Acid
(administration & dosage)
- Calcium
(administration & dosage)
- Cross-Over Studies
- Drug Combinations
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Osteoarthritis, Hip
(drug therapy)
- Osteoarthritis, Knee
(drug therapy)
- Pain
(drug therapy)
- Tablets
- Treatment Outcome
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