Volume 15, Issue 11, November 2008, Pages 907–913
Abstract
Study objective
The
examination of the effectiveness and tolerance of willow bark extract
in patients with gonarthrosis and coxarthrosis compared to conventional
therapies.
Methods
In an open,
multicentric observational study with reference treatment, 90 patients
were treated with a standardised willow bark extract preparation, 41
patients with a standard therapy prescribed by a doctor and 8 patients
with a combination of the two. After 3 and finally 6 weeks the
effectiveness and tolerance were determined by the doctor (clinical
findings, recording of adverse events, global tolerance) and by the
patients (WOMAC questions concerning pain and stiffness, questions on
general state of health).
Results
A
total of 88 patients in the willow bark group and 40 patients in the
reference group completed the study. The doctors and patients judged the
effectiveness in both groups to be comparable. After 6 weeks the
effectiveness of the willow bark extract tended to be assessed as better
than in the group undergoing conventional therapy. Also in the subgroup
of chronically sick patients (>3 months), after 6 weeks the
effectiveness of both forms of treatment was comparable; however, the
effect was slower to set in the willow bark group than in the reference
group. Doctors and patients assessed the tolerance of the willow bark
extract to be better than the conventional therapy. Adverse effects of
the drugs did not occur in the willow bark group; one case each of
reflux symptoms occurred in the reference group and the
Conclusions
For
treating mild or fairly severe cases of gonarthrosis and coxarthrosis
the effect of willow bark extract is comparable to that of standard
therapies, without the corresponding side effects having to be accepted.
Keywords
- Classic naturopathic methods;
- Degenerative joint complaints;
- Phytoactive drugs;
- Willow bark Salicis cortex Ph. Eur
Copyright © 2008 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
