ABSTRACT
Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, degenerative joint disorder responsible for considerable morbidity, particularly in old age. Flupirtine, a new centrally acting analgesic, is devoid of the adverse effects of NSAIDs and opioid analgesics. In this study author compared the effectiveness and safety of flupirtine with tramadol in knee OA.Methods: An open label, randomized, controlled trial was done with patients of primary knee OA of both sexes, age >50 years. Patients were recruited from Rheumatology OPD of SSKM Hospital. A minimum WOMAC score of 35 was essential for recruitment. Patients with serious comorbidities were excluded. They were treated orally with either flupirtine (100mg thrice daily) or tramadol (50mg thrice daily) for 12 weeks.Results: Ninety patients were recruited and data of 42 on flupirtine and 41 on tramadol were analysed. There was significant improvement in pain, stiffness and physical function compared to baseline in both the groups. However, there was no significant difference between groups at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Responder rate (50% reduction in pain score from baseline) was 66.67% with flupirtine and 48.78% with tramadol (p = 0.122). Flupirtine caused 4 adverse events compared to 16 with tramadol. However, both the drugs were well-tolerated.Conclusions: The effectiveness of flupirtine in knee OA is comparable to tramadol, while causing minimal adverse effects. Long-term benefits need to be explored.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of auto antibody against oxidized LDL in myocardial infracted (MI) patients and normal healthy subjects of West Bengal (India) and to establish it to be also a cofactor for MI. Patients and Methodology : This study was carried out on 285 patients with MI as well as 75 healthy volunteers of comparable age and gender as control group. Blood was collected immediately after admission of the patients. Auto antibody against oxidized LDL, Nitric Oxide and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in all groups. Results : Mean serum level of auto antibody against oxidized LDL, MDA, total Cholesterol and LDL Cholesterol levels (118 ± 9.0, 7.4 ± 1.3, 233 ± 30, and 145 ± 38) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in MI patients when compared with control subject. The mean serum levels of nitric oxide (NO) and HDL, cholesterol were significantly (p<0.05) lower as compared to control group. Conclusion : Significantly high level of auto antibody against oxidized LDL associated with high level of MDA, total cholesterol and decreased level of NO and HDL cholesterol appear to be the factors responsible for the increase risk of coronary artery disease i.e., myocardial infarction in the population of West Bengal, India.