Arthritis Treatments: What Works, what Doesn't

The cause of arthritis remains a mystery and a cure is equally elusive, but the impact on its sufferers is ever-present. A systematic review of alternative arthritis treatments was conducted through the Arthritis Research Campaign to determine the effectiveness of the various natural treatments. Let's take a look at what works, what doesn't and how we can apply the data. But first, some stats;

• An estimated 46 million adults in the United States reported being told by a doctor that they have some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia. (Data Source: 2003-2005 NHIS).
• By 2030, an estimated 67 million Americans ages 18 years or older are projected to have doctor-diagnosed arthritis (Arthritis & Rheumatism 2006;54(1):226-229)

The Review Particulars

• Doctors reviewed published data on complementary and alternative medicines for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia - a condition that causes pain in muscles and connective tissue.
• Only randomized controlled trials were used (40 of them) with the aim to determine whether there was evidence to support the effectiveness and safety of certain products for people with arthritis. The study measured effectiveness by improvements in pain, movement or general well-being.
• Each therapy was ranked from one to five, with one indicating it has no effect, and five meaning there is good evidence that it works.

The Findings

For rheumatoid arthritis: Nearly two-thirds (13 out of 21) were shown to have no or little effect (scoring 1 out of 5 on the effectiveness scale). But fish oil scored 5 out of 5 for people with RA.

For osteoarthritis: Nearly one-fifth (6 out of 27 medicines) were shown to have little or no effect. Capsaicin gel, made from chili peppers, proved most effective in relieving pain and joint tenderness, scoring the full 5.

For fibromyalgia: Only four products were assessed. None of them were highly effective, with three medicines scoring 2 out of 5, and the fourth an ineffective 1.

Also noteworthy, the popular supplement glucosamine showed mixed and inconclusive results.

Safety: The treatments mostly received "amber" safety rating (meaning they had some side-effects reported). It's worth noting that thunder god vine - a perennial vine native to China, Japan, and Korea, got a "red" rating for its potential to cause more severe side-effects.

Take Home Points

If you or someone you know suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, fish oil is certainly worth a shot (it is anyway for most people - in my opinion).

Sufferers of osteoarthritis may benefit from Capsaicin gel.

Regardless of which course of action you take, exercise should always be the cornerstone of your treatment. Here is some good news about osteoarthritis treatment:

• Weight loss of as little as 11 pounds reduces the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis among women by 50%. (Arthritis Rheum 1998;41(8):1343-1355.)
• Among older adults with knee osteoarthritis, engaging in moderate physical activity at least 3 times per week can reduce the risk of arthritis-related disability by 47%. (Arch Intern Med 2001;161(19):2309-2316.)