Homeopathic Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Open, Observational Trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (04) ◽  
pp. 216-223
Author(s):  
Nivedita Kundu ◽  
Mahadeb De ◽  
Subhas Singh ◽  
James Michael ◽  
Arunava Nath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Das28 Score ◽  
Observational Trial ◽  
Homeopathic Treatment ◽  
Intention To Treat ◽  
Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease

Abstract Background Rheumatological complaints including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are frequently encountered conditions in homeopathy practice. On account of progressive destruction and disability of the joints, and troublesome side effects and dissatisfaction with the mainstream therapies, homeopathy remains one of the most sought-after therapies; however, it remained under-researched systematically. Aim of this trial was to evaluate the possible role of homeopathic treatment in RA by determining changes in severity of complaints and quality of life. Materials and Methods An open observational trial was performed on 50 patients suffering from RA (classified as per 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria) at National Institute of Homoeopathy, Kolkata and were assessed over 4 months of treatment. Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) and Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index (RADAI) were used as the primary and secondary outcome measures respectively. Individualised medicines were prescribed on the basis of homeopathic principles. Results Six patients dropped out; 44 completed the trial. Intention-to-treat sample (n = 50) was analysed in the end. There were statistically significant reductions in both DAS28 score (6.8 ± 1.0 vs. 6.1 ± 1.2; mean reduction 0.7, 95% CI: 0.4–0.9, p < 0.001) and RADAI score (6.6 ± 1.8 vs. 5.2 ± 1.9; mean reduction 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0–1.9, p < 0.001) over 4 months of individualised homeopathic treatment. Conclusion Individualised homeopathic medicines seemed to produce promising treatment effects by reducing DAS28 and RADAI scores significantly over 4 months. Further randomised trials are warranted with enhanced methodological rigor (Trial registration: CTRI/2017/06/008848).

scholarly journals Rheumatoid arthritis disease activity index-5: Utility in busy clinical settings

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
VikramSingh Tanwar ◽  
Harpreet Singh ◽  
Gagandeep Sukhija ◽  
Rekha Mathur ◽  
Parminder Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity ◽  
Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease

Remission in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Comparison of the 2 Newly Proposed ACR/EULAR Remission Criteria with the Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index-5, a Patient Self-report Disease Activity Index

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 394-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernhard Rintelen ◽  
Judith Sautner ◽  
Pia Haindl ◽  
Harsono Mai ◽  
Hans-Peter Brezinschek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Kappa Statistics ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity ◽  
Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease ◽  
Definition Of

Objective.We analyzed whether a patient self-report remission criterion, such as that according to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index-5 (RADAI-5), meets the criteria of the 2011 proposed American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) definition of remission.Methods.The 2 approaches of the ACR/EULAR proposal [Boolean- and Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI)-based] as well as the RADAI-5 were used to assess whether patients with RA are in remission. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV), and kappa analyses were performed to illustrate the relationship among the different approaches defining remission at a group level.Results.In total, 705 patients' assessments were included. Eighty-nine patients were classified as being in remission according to the Boolean-based and 169 according to the SDAI-based definition of the ACR/EULAR proposals, and 154 according to the RADAI-5. Sixty-eight assessments were classified as being in remission according to all 3 definitions. In the case of RADAI-5 remission, sensitivity was 78%, specificity 86%, PPV 45%, and NPV 96%, indicating remission according to the Boolean-based definition; and 60%, 92%, 66%, and 90%, respectively, indicating remission according to the SDAI-based definition. In the case of remission according to the SDAI-based ACR/EULAR definition, sensitivity was 52%, specificity 100%, PPV 98%, and NPV 87%, also indicating remission according to the Boolean definition; while according to the Boolean definition the values were 98%, 87%, 52%, and 100%, respectively. Kappa statistics showed fair to good agreement for all 3 definitions.Conclusion.Nearly twice as many assessments were classified as being in remission using the SDAI-based or the RADAI-5 definitions when compared to the Boolean-based definition. Remission according to the RADAI-5 also was highly specific for both ACR/EULAR criteria. Sensitivity for the RADAI-5 criterion was even better for the Boolean-based definition than that for the SDAI-based definition.

scholarly journals Effect of Anticitrullinated Protein Antibody Status on Response to Abatacept or Antitumor Necrosis Factor-α Therapy in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A US National Observational Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie R. Harrold ◽  
Heather J. Litman ◽  
Sean E. Connolly ◽  
Sheila Kelly ◽  
Winnie Hua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Treatment Response ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Patient Profile ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Factor Α ◽  
Necrosis Factor

Objective.Assess whether baseline anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP) status is associated with treatment response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) initiating abatacept (ABA) or a tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor (TNFi).Methods.Using the Corrona RA registry, patients were identified who initiated ABA or a TNFi (June 2004–January 2015), had a followup visit 6 months (± 3 mos) after initiation, and anti-CCP measured at or prior to initiation. Primary outcome was mean change in Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) from initiation to 6 months. Treatment response was evaluated based on a typical patient profile (female, aged 57 yrs, body mass index of 30 kg/m2, baseline CDAI of 20, 1 prior biologic, and no comorbidities other than RA). Secondary outcomes included remission and low disease activity.Results.There were 566 ABA initiators [anti-CCP+ (≥ 20 units/ml): n = 362; anti-CCP− (< 20 units/ml): n = 204] and 1715 TNFi initiators (anti-CCP+: n = 1113; anti-CCP−: n = 602). Differences between treatment groups included baseline disease duration, CDAI, and prior biologic use. At 6 months, anti-CCP+ ABA initiators were associated with significantly greater CDAI response versus anti-CCP− ABA initiators; no significant difference was observed for TNFi initiators. When considering a typical RA patient profile, CDAI response was greater in anti-CCP+ versus anti-CCP− ABA initiators; anti-CCP+ versus anti-CCP− TNFi initiators were similar. Secondary outcome responses were also greater in anti-CCP+ versus anti-CCP− ABA initiators; TNFi initiators did not differ by anti-CCP status.Conclusion.In a US-based clinical practice setting, anti-CCP status was associated with a differential treatment response to ABA, but not TNFi.

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