Combined antioxidant therapy reduces pain and improves quality of life in chronic pancreatitis.
Patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) typically suffer intractable abdominal pain that is resistant to most analgesic strategies. Recent research indicates that the pain of CP may be in part due to oxygen free radical induced pancreatic damage. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, we evaluated the efficacy of a combined antioxidant preparation in the management of CP. Patients with confirmed chronic pancreatitis (N = 36) were randomized to receive treatment with either Antox, which contains the antioxidants selenium, betacarotene, L-methionine, and vitamins C and E, or placebo for 10 weeks. Each group of patients then switched to receive the alternative treatment for a further 10 weeks. Markers of antioxidant status were measured by blood sampling, whereas quality of life and pain were assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. Nineteen patients completed the full 20 weeks of treatment. Treatment with Antox was associated with significant improvements in quality of life in terms of pain (+17 antioxidant vs. -7 placebo), physical (+9 vs. -3) and social functioning (+8 vs. -7), and general health perception (+10 vs. -3). We conclude that treatment with antioxidants may improve quality of life and reduce pain in patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis.
Kirk
Gareth R
GR
Department of Surgery, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
White
Jonathan S
JS
McKie
Lloyd
L
Stevenson
Mike
M
Young
Ian
I
Clements
W D Barry
WD
Rowlands
Brian J
BJ
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008715:Methionine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D010919:Placebos; D011788:Quality of Life; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000975:Antioxidants; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010919:Placebos; D019207:beta Carotene; D014810:Vitamin E; D008715:Methionine; D012643:Selenium; D001205:Ascorbic Acid