Placebo injections better than oral NSAIDs

Osteoarthritis

5 Jan 2015

A wide range of oral and injectable treatments for knee osteoarthritis (OA) are more effective than placebo, but placebo injections are better than oral NSAIDs, a systematic review of the evidence concludes. The researchers analysed randomized trials that compared two or more of the following treatments: paracetamol, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, corticosteroid injections, hyaluronic acid injections, and oral and injection placebos. At three months, all interventions were significantly better than oral placebo for improving OA pain, although paracetamol was the least effective for pain relief, found the review published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Injections proved to be the most effective treatment for knee OA pain, and placebo injections were better than oral NSAIDs, a finding which the authors said suggested a placebo effect from the delivery method.

Already a member?

Login to keep reading.

OR
Email me a login link