title: Controversy: hirudotherapy (leech therapy) as an alternative treatment for osteoarthritis.
abstract: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease found in the elderly. Drug options that are recommended by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeon (AAOS) are acetaminophen, NSAIDs, tramadol, capscaicin and intraarticular corticosteroids. However, there is concern for the possible side effects resulting from long term use of those medications. Researchers are searching for a safer treatment modality for OA. Leech therapy (hirudotheraphy) is one of the therapies under investigation, given its purported analgesic and antiinflammatory properties.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine Universitas Atma Jaya, Jakarta, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Felicia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gunawan
authors.forename: Yossico R
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Wibowo
authors.forename: Nur C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Bunawan
authors.forename: Jesse H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia; D024763:Leeching / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000082:Acetaminophen