title: Effectiveness and safety of Devil's Claw tablets in patients with general rheumatic disorders.
abstract: Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions (AORC) are the leading cause of disability, are associated with poor quality of life and incur considerable direct and indirect costs. It is considered that the instance of AORC will continue to increase. To assess the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of Harpagophytum (Bioforce) in the treatment of AORC, a single group open study of 8 weeks duration (259 patients) was performed in the United Kingdom. Effectiveness was assessed by numeric rating scales, the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index and the Algofunctional Hand Osteoarthritis Index. Tolerance was measured by a numeric rating scale and safety by self-reporting, blood analysis and liver function tests. Quality of life was measured by SF-12 questionnaire. There were statistically significant (p < 0.0001) improvements in patient assessment of global pain, stiffness and function. There were also statistically significant reductions in mean pain scores for hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee and back pain. Quality of life measurements (SF-12) were significantly increased from baseline and 60% patients either reduced or stopped concomitant pain medication. Harpagophytum is an effective and well-tolerated serious treatment option for mild to moderate degenerative rheumatic disorders providing improved quality of life measure.
authors: School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh EH12 8TS, Scotland.
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Warnock
authors: Douglas
authors: D
authors: McBean
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Suter
authors: Jen
authors: J
authors: Tan
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Whittaker
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D005260:Female; D031684:Harpagophytum; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts