DIACEREIN: A TREATMENT OPTION IN PAINFUL PRIMARY KNEE

Diacerein in Knee Steoarthritis

Abstract

Objective: To identify the efficacy and side effects of Diacerein in patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis.

Study Design: Quasi experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: Outpatient Department of Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Rawalpindi from June 2012 to June 2013.

Material and Methods: Ninety cases fulfilling American College of Rheumatology criteria for diagnosis of Knee Osteoarthritis and falling in Grades I→III of Kellgren-Lawrence Radiological Classification for Knee Osteoarthritis were included. Pre-treatment associated symptoms, complete blood count, renal and liver function tests were documented.  After a baseline pain assessment on a 10-Point Visual Analogue Scale, 50 mg of Diacerein was given orally for 4 months followed by pain assessment and inquiry about adverse effects at 6^th week, 3^rd and 6^th months. Post-treatment labs were repeated. Reduction in pain was analyzed by paired-sample t-test using SPSS version 17. Chi-Square test was used to assess the frequency of adverse effects. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Mean age was 61.5 ± 7.8 years. Majority 77 (85.6%) were females. Mean Visual Analogue Scale at start was 6.1 ± 0.87. Significant pain reduction measured on Visual Analogue Scale was observed at six weeks (4.6 ± 1.2) (p < 0.001), three months (2.37 ± 0.91) (p < 0.001) and six months (2.2 ± 0.85) (p < 0.001). Very few patients developed diarrhea 3.3% and nausea 4.4%.

Conclusion: Diacerein is effective drug with minimal side effects for treatment of mild to moderate painful Knee Osteoarthritis