Assessment of efficacy and safety of "Chondroxid" gel in comparison with "Finalgel" in patients with knee osteoarthritis
Objective. To assess efficacy, safety and aftereffect duration of 6-week local therapy of “Chondroxid” gel in comparison with ‘‘Finalgel” in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Material and methods. 60 outpatients (2 groups 30 pts in each) mainly women (59 pts) with knee osteoarthritis (II-III stage according to Kellgren-Lawrence) fulfilling ACR criteria aged 45 to 70 years (mean age 57,3±6,3 years) with pain at walking 40 mm and more on visual analog scale (VAS), Lequesne index from 4 to 10 regularly receiving NSAIDs for 30 days during previous 3 months were included. Follow up duration was 8 weeks (6 weeks - treatment and 2 weeks follow up to assess drug effect).The pts used gels “Chondroxid”and “Finalgel” 3 times a day 9-11 cm of drug extruded at fully open tube orifice (3-4 g). Efficacy assessment was performed with common criteria: WOMAC index (assessment of pain, stiffness and functional disability), summated functional Lequesne index, walking speed (15 m), treatment efficacy assessment by doctor and pt (improvement, absence of response, deterioration), daily requirement in NSAIDs, knee joint sonographic examination data. Results. Definite analgesic effect was achieved with both drugs. “Chondroxid” gel provided faster improvement: pain significantly decreased already after a week of treatment (p=0,05). Significant improvement of stiffness, joint function and walking speed was achieved after 2 weeks of treatment and was maintained till the end of treatment in both groups (p=0,05). Summated WOMAC index changed in accordance with pain. Severity Lequesne index significantly decreased in both groups but provided more prominent improvement (p<0,015). Significant improvement of function and summated WOMAC index was revealed in the main group pts at the second visit (after 1 week of treatment) what confirmes fast effect of “Chondroxid” gel. Later effect in both groups was similar. In 2 weeks after the end of treatment aftereffect was maintained in both groups but in the main group decrease of pain was more prominent (100,2±58,6 mm vs 130,8±59,6 mm in control, p<0,05). Local adverse events appeared in 4 pts only during treatment with “Chondroxid” gel: in 3 pts — knee periarticular edema and in 1 pt the drug was withdrawn due to skin itch and hyperemia at the site of gel application. Conclusion. The results of the study showed that “Chondroxid” gel effect on pain and joint function in knee osteoarthritis is comparable with “Finalgel”, but “Chondroxid” gel acts faster and its aftereffect lasts longer than that of “Finalgel”.