Authors: Kuryata O.1, Sirenko O.1, Lysunets T.2
1 Dnepropetrovsk Medical Academy of the Ministry of Health of Ukrainе, Dnepr, Ukrainе
2 I. Mechnikov Regional Clinical Hospital, Dnepr, Ukrainе
Abstract
Objective: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of short-term injection therapy with meloxicam in patients with pain due to rheumatic joint diseases.
Materials and methods
The study included 30 patients with pain on a background of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis with symptoms of synovitis, seronegative arthropathy (median age 52.7 [45.3; 56.9] years). The first group consisted of 16 patients treated with NSAIDs prior to observation and regarded by patient and physician as ineffective, second – 14 patients who did not receive NSAIDs during the last 2 weeks before study inclusion. All patients were generally conducted clinical examination, evaluation of pain intensity on VAS at rest and during exercise, general and biochemical blood to the definition of ESR, rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein; X-ray of affected joints. Clinical and laboratory tests carried out before treatment and after 3 days of treatment injectable meloxicam 15 mg / 1.5 ml per day (Loksydol, World Medicine, Romania), followed by oral administration at a dose of 7.5–15 mg per day for patients’ needs. Results. With meloxicam treatment duration of morning stiffness was significantly decreased by 31.4% and 33.9% respectively for patients and II groups (p<0.05). The intensity of pain on a scale VAS at rest, during exercise significantly decreased by 44.6% and 42.0% (p<0.05) respectively compared to baseline values. During the treatment group and the number of patients with high pain intensity at rest and during movement significantly decreased among patients in both groups with the transformation of a category of patients with mild pain. Positive developments by reducing C-reactive protein in the background purpose 3-day course injectable meloxicam was observed in 7 (43.8%) patients who received prior therapy NSAID, and 6 (42.9%) patients with missing previous NSAIDs therapy.
Results
Significantly more pronounced reduction dynamics PSA was noted among patients not previously treated with NSAIDs – by 31.5% (p<0.05) among patients of group – 26.9% (p<0.05). During the observation period in both groups registered significant changes in parameters that characterize the function of the liver and kidneys, and those that require dose reduction or discontinuation.
The positive effect of meloxicam treatment according to the doctor noted in 22 (63.3%) patients, according to the patient – in 20 (66.7%) patients: pronounced effect in 9 (40.9%) and 7 (35%), respectively, moderate – in 8 (36.4%) and 7 (35%), respectively.
Conclusions
The use of short-term injection therapy with meloxicam pain syndrome on the background of rheumatic diseases reduces pain intensity with good tolerability and safety. Analgesic effect is not depend from the prior NSAID therapy, indicating the possibility of using the drug for treatment initiation and switching groups of ineffective therapy earlier forms of oral NSAIDs.
Keywords: short-term injection, pain syndrome, meloxicam.
Published in the journal “Neurology and Neurosurgery. Eastern Europe” Vol. 7 No. 2 ‘2017