[Do disease modifying drugs exist for osteoarthritis]

Reumatol Clin. 2007 Oct:3 Suppl 3:S39-43. doi: 10.1016/S1699-258X(07)73653-7. Epub 2008 Nov 13.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

The osteoarthritis is a disease with high epidemiological, social, and economic impact in health systems. Its treatment has been focused on diminishing pain and inflammation joint; in last years there has appeared on the market a series of drugs that, in studies in vitro show mechanisms of action that might have a modifying effect of disease, since they diminish the proinflammatory cytokines and metalloproteinases involved in degradation of cartilage matrix and it have effect in anti-apoptotics mechanisms in chondrocyte. Clinical studies have showed efficacy against pain and improving joint function; some studies have showed that there is not loss of joint space evaluated by conventional x-ray with longitudinal follow-up of patients. We describe new in vitro action mechanisms of theses new drugs and the clinical evidence of its efficacy in symptoms and potentially modifying effect of the natural history of osteoarthritis.

Publication types

  • English Abstract