RESUMEN
Yokuinin, coix seed extract, has been used to regulate gastric functions and to reduce pathological water retention. This paper reports the effect of Yokuinin on controlling hydrarthrosis for patients with arthralgia. Seventeen patients who have had maintenance hemodialisis for an average of 12.7 years and who have suffered hydrarthrosis with arthralgia have been tested. There are 7 male and 10 female patients, with an average of age of 63.4. The hydrarthrosis of the patients resulted from dialysis arthropathy and gonarthrosis. The patients were provided with 3 to 6 tablets of Yokuinin (Yokuinin extract tablet “Kotaro”) a day, and the effect on hydrarthrosis was measured after 3 weeks. The dosage of Yokuinin was 0.33g in 3 tablets. Yokuinin was effective on 14 patients (hydrarthrosis was reduced), relatively effective on 2 patients, and not effective on one patient. This shows an efficacy rate of 82.8%. Arthralgia was reduced for 12 patients, and analgesia was seen in 3 patients. Effective reduction of hydrarthrosis by this medicine was observed: 5 cases out of 6 for patients with dialysis arthropathy (83.3%); 6 cases out of 7 for gonarthrosis (85.7%); and 3 cases of 4 for other diseases (75.0%)—a total of 82.8%. The patient for whom the drug was not effective was suffering from acute hydrarthrosis. Side effects were not observed except for indigestion and cramps. These results suggest that Yokuinin is an effective medicine to control hydrarthrosis with arthralgia for patients under hemodialysis.