title: Duloxetine, a centrally acting analgesic, in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis knee pain: a 13-week, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: Pain is a common cause of disability in osteoarthritis. Duloxetine, a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), has demonstrated analgesic effects in diabetic peripheral neuropathy and fibromyalgia. Considering its central mechanism of action, duloxetine may be effective in other pain states with evidence of central sensitization. Herein, we report the results of a 13-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of duloxetine (60-120 mg/day) versus placebo in the treatment of knee pain in 231 patients meeting clinical and radiographic criteria for osteoarthritis of the knee. Duloxetine was superior to placebo on the primary efficacy measure (weekly mean 24-h pain scores) beginning at Week 1 and continuing through the treatment period (P < or = .05). There was also a significant improvement in the WOMAC physical functioning subscale and several other secondary outcomes. Adverse-event rates did not differ significantly between treatment groups (49.5% for duloxetine 60-120 mg/day, and 40.8% for placebo).
authors.affiliation: Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, IN, USA i3 Statprobe, Ann Arbor, MI, USA Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA Anderson & Collins Clinical Research, Inc., Edison, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Amy S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Chappell
authors.forename: Melissa J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ossanna
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu-Seifert
authors.forename: Smriti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iyengar
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Skljarevski
authors.forename: Linda Chunhong
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D000068736:Duloxetine Hydrochloride; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000150:complications*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D013876:Thiophenes; D000068736:Duloxetine Hydrochloride