Clinical observation of neurotropin combined with celecoxib in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis

CAO Dai-gui; FENG Shi-qing; ZHOU Xian-hu; ZHOU Heng-xing; ZHANG Chao; CHU Tian-ci; YAO Li-wei; HAO Yan

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-252X.2014.04.012

Abstract：Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effects and safety of a combined therapy of neurotropin ( NTP ) and celecoxib in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis ( KOA ). Methods A randomized and parallel-controlled clinical trial was performed in 130 patients with KOA, who were randomly divided into 2 groups. The patients in the control group only took celecoxib orally ( n=65 ), and the patients in the experimental group took both NTP and celecoxib orally ( n=65 ). All the patients were treated for 4 weeks, and then were observed for the next 2 weeks. According to Lequesne’s criteria, the improvement in knee joint symptoms were evaluated before and after the treatment, including knee pain at rest, at movement and at pressure, knee swelling, morning stiffness and walking ability. The therapeutic effects, adverse events and biochemical indexes were also recorded. Results The Lequesne’s total scores in both groups were obviously reduced after 4 weeks of treatment when compared with those before the treatment. The therapeutic effects in both groups were maintained for the next 2 weeks after the discontinuation of treatment. The total effective rate in the experimental group ( 94%) after 6 weeks of treatment was much higher than that in the control group ( 88%). There were no statistically signiifcant differences in the safety between the 2 groups. Conclusions The combined therapy of NTP and celecoxib for KOA is signiifcantly more effective than the celecoxib alone. The clinical symptoms of the patients can be obviously improved, without new adverse events.