Willow bark extract STW 33-I in the long-term treatment of outpatients with rheumatic pain mainly osteoarthritis or back pain.

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE:

Efficacy and safety of willow bark extract for pain reduction in patients suffering from musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) has been shown in clinical short term trials. Therefore this observational study over 6 months should evaluate patterns of treatments like mono- or combinations therapy, dosage and safety during long-term treatment under pragmatic conditions with the aqueous willow bark extract STW 33-I, (Proaktiv(®); drug-extract-ratio 16-23:1).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

The patients were treated with STW 33-I; comedication with other NSAIDs and opioids was allowed. An extensive case report form including pain questionnaires and patient diary was used for outcome evaluation.

RESULTS:

Four hundred and thirty-six patients with rheumatic pain mainly due to osteoarthritis (56.2%) and back pain (59.9%) were included. During the study the mean reductions from baseline value 58.4±22.6-31.8±22.5 after 24 weeks in the pain intensity scale (VAS 0-100mm) were significant even after 3 weeks with a reduction by 26 mm (45.6% of the baseline value) at the end of the study. The relative reductions of the weekly means of the daily patient self-rated scores of the pain (6-point Likert-scales) were between 33% and 44% of the baseline values during the course of the study. We present results of subgroups according their analgetic/antiphlogistic comedication. The distribution and specification of the main adverse events and the ratings of the treatment showed a good tolerability. No relevant drug interactions were reported.

CONCLUSION:

These data suggest that STW 33-I can be used as a basic treatment in the long-term therapy of painful musculoskeletal disorders and that it can be combined with NSAIDs and opioids if necessary.

• Authors: B Uehleke, J Müller, R Stange, O Kelber, J Melzer
• Journal: Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (Phytomedicine) Vol. 20 Issue 11 Pg. 980-4 (Aug 15 2013) ISSN: 1618-095X [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 23731658 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Analgesics
• Antirheumatic Agents
• Plant Extracts

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Analgesics (therapeutic use)
• Antirheumatic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Back Pain (drug therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Osteoarthritis (drug therapy)
• Pain Measurement
• Phytotherapy
• Plant Bark (chemistry)
• Plant Extracts (therapeutic use)
• Qualitative Research
• Salix (chemistry)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult