Abstract

The aim of this study is to perform intervention treatment with loxoprofen, diacerein and glucosamine for middle-aged and elderly knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients and compare the efficacy and safety of the aforementioned three drugs on KOA as well as providing basis for standard treatment protocol for the exploration of KOA. 153 KOA patients who were proved in the project of KOA epidemiological survey on rural middle-aged and elderly people in Fenxian District, Shanghai City were taken as the subject of study. Random, open and self-control methods were adopted to conduct intervention treatment by dividing into three groups: loxoprofen, diacerein and glucosamine treatment group. Evaluation method for index of severity and activity of KOA by lequesne was referred to make follow-up visit, fill in questionnaire on drug adverse reaction, registration form of drug distribution and recycle. Intervention treatments with loxoprofen, diacerein and glucosamine were carried out for KOA patients and significant differences (p<0.05) were seen between self-control groups in the aspect of knee pain, 15 m walking time (t/s), activities of daily life and comprehensive evaluation for patient. The overall response rates of the drug intervention in three groups are 90.20, 74.51 and 88.24%, respectively with R(-)₁ = 0.4424, R(-)₂ = 0.5825 and R(-)₃ = 0.4751 by Ridit analysis. Considering c² = 6.7253, p<0.05, the efficacy of loxoprofen and glucosamine turned out to be better, followed by that of diacerein; the adverse reaction of the three drugs are quite slight. With certain efficacy for KOA and slight adverse reaction, the intervention treatment of loxoprofen, diacerein and glucosamine can be used for normalized treatment of KOA. The use of drug intervention treatment can postpone the progression of KOA.

Key words: Rural area, knee osteoarthritis, drug intervention.