ABSTRACT

Objective: To compare the efficacy of Duloxetine with NSAIDS versus NSAIDS alone for the treatment of knee pain secondary to osteoarthritis.

Study Design: Randomized clinical trial study.

Setting and Duration: Department of Rheumatology, PIMS Hospital, Islamabad, from April to August 2021.

Methodology: One hundred and twenty eight patients with knee osteoarthritis were included in the study and were divided in two equal groups; one group was subjected to Duloxetine plus NSAIDs and other to just NSAIDs. The response was assessed at end of 3 months. Reduction in pain more than or equal to 50% from the baseline was considered as efficacy.

Results: The mean VAS score was 3.56±1.15 in group A (Duloexetine plus NSAIDS) A while in group B (NSAID alone), 4.45±1.22 and significantly (p-value > 0.05). Similarly, the comparison of WOMAC score for pain showed that the mean WOMAC score was significantly (P-value > 0.05) less 5.68±1.56 in group A in contrast to 6.39 ± 1.69 in group B. Comparison of efficacy between two groups showed that the rate of efficacy was significantly (P-value >0.05) higher in group A 48.4% as compared to 31.3% in group B.

Conclusion: Addition of Duloxetine to NSAIDs resulted in more reduction of pain in terms of VAS and WOMAC score with acceptable adverse effects.