Authors: 1,2 Kapeltsova O. A., 1,3 Dolynna O. V., 2 Shkolina N. V., 1 Marchuk O. V.
1 National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya.
2 Vinnitsa Regional Clinical Hospital Named after M. I.Pirogov.
3 Center of Medical Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine.
Summary
Pain is the most common syndrome in rheumatology. NSAIDs are often used in its treatment. But them uses have limitations associated with side effects. Advantage of combinations of topical drugs with physical factors (electrophoresis, phonophoresis) – is the use of low doses of the drug and a decrease in time, to achieve a therapeutic effect, reduce the risk of adverse reactions, increase the concentration of the drug in the inflammation focus, prolonged action (creating a drug depot in tissues). Ketoprofen gel («Artrocol gel») is one of the representatives of this pharmacological group. Physicochemical properties help to ketoprofen easily penetrates through the skin and create the therapeutic concentration in the underlying tissues.
Objective
To assess the effectiveness of electrophonophoresis gel ketoprofen («Arthrocol gel») in the treatment of pain in rheumatological patients.
Materials and methods
The study was carried out on the basis of the physiotherapy department of the Vinnitsa Regional Clinical Hospital named after M.I. Pirogov. All patients treated according to the unified clinical protocols were divided into experimental (EG) and control group (CG). Patients of EG (98 persons) received of electrophonophoresis with ketoprofen gel once a day for a week. In CG (43 persons) ketoprofen gel was used without electrophonophoresis. The intensity of the pain syndrome is monitored using a visual analog scale (HAS) of Huskisson at rest and during movement. A week later, the patient and the doctor evaluated satisfaction with the results of treatment on a scale: not effective, insufficient, satisfactory, good, excellent.
Results
There was a persistent decrease in the intensity of pain syndrome in patients of both groups. The VAS scores were lower in the EG starting from the 3rd day of treatment. The intensity of the acute pain syndrome after 1-week treatment at rest (t = 4.71, p < 0.001) and during the movement (t = 3.84, p < 0.001) more decrease in EG. Satisfaction with the results of treatment was higher in EG.
Conclusions
Electrophonophoresis potentiates the analgesic effect of ketoprofen gel («Arthrocol gel»), reduces the need for oral NSAIDs, increases satisfaction with the results of treatment and can be recommended in the comprehensive treatment of pain in patients with rheumatological diseases.
Key words: anti-inflammatory agents, non-steroidal, ketoprofen, physical therapy modalities, electrophoresis, phonophoresis.