CHLOROQUINE VS STEROID INJECTION IN MANAGEMENT OF PRIMARY KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS: A DOUBLE BLINDED RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

H KARIMZADEH, S.Z BONAKDAR, F DORDKESHAN, H ADILIPOUR, F ASHRAFI

Abstract


Introduction. Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common forms of articular disease and one of the major causes of pain and disability especially in old age. The purpose of this study is to assay therapeutic effect of oral chloroquine in comparison with intraarticular injection of corticosteroid in management of osteoarthritis.
Methods. A controlled randomized clinical trial study was done in Isfahan Alzahra hospital from October 2000 to September 2001 (11 months). The eligible patients were randomized in one of the therapeutic modalities (oral chloroquine: 15 patients; Intraarticular steroid injection: 15 patient). The patient initially were classified as their intensity of jont pain on the base of (visual analog scale) 0-100, their (global status) 0-100 and Lequesne"s functional index (0 - 25). Data was obtioned in 4th, 8th, 12th weeks follow up.
Results. In the first group the intensity of pain in 4th, 8th, 12th weeks became significantly attenutated in Comparison to initiation of study (P < 0.05). In contrast second group the intensity of pain in 4th week became attenuated in comparison to the bigining of the study but this effect was not significant in 8th and 12th weeks (P > 0.05).
Discussion. The most clinical responsiveness including attenuation of pain improvment of global status and lequesne"s functional index in first group was observed in 12th week but this responsiveness in second group (corticosteroid) decreased significantly after 4th week. Oral chloroquine in comparison with intra articular corticosteroid injection in patients with knee OA cause therapeutic benefit effect for longer time. It can be as a useful, treatment method without a serious side effects on these patients.

Keywords


Knee Osteoarthitis, Chloroquine, Intra articular Corticosteroid Injection, Clinical