Turmeric Curcuma Domestica Extract Vs. Ibuprofen In Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Author Information

Kuptniratsaikul V¹, Dajpratham P¹, Taechaarpornkul W², Buntragulpoontawee M³, Lukkanapichonchut P⁴, Chootip C⁵, Saengsuwan J⁶, Tantayakom K⁷, Laongpech S⁸. 

1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
2. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Ratchaburi Hospital, Ministry of Public Health, Ratchaburi, Thailand.
3. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Songkhla Hospital, Ministry of Public Health, Songkhla, Thailand.
4. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Background

To determine the efficacy and safety of Turmeric Curcuma domestica extracts in pain reduction and functional improvement when compared to Ibuprofen.

Methods

367 primary knee osteoarthritis patients with a pain score of 5 or higher were randomized to receive ibuprofen 1,200 mg/day or C. domestica extracts 1,500 mg/day for 4 weeks. The main outcomes were Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) total, WOMAC pain, WOMAC stiffness, and WOMAC function scores. Adverse events (AEs) were also recorded. 

Results

185 and 182 patients were randomly assigned into Turmeric Curcuma Domestica extracts and Ibuprofen groups, respectively. The baseline characteristics were no different between groups. The mean of all WOMAC scores at weeks 0, 2, and 4 showed significant improvement when compared with the baseline in both groups. After using the non-inferiority test, the mean difference (95% confidence interval) of WOMAC total, WOMAC pain, and WOMAC function scores at week 4 adjusted by values at week 0 of Turmeric Curucma Domestica extracts were non-inferior to those for the ibuprofen group (P=0.010, P=0.018, and P=0.010, respectively), except for the WOMAC stiffness subscale, which showed a trend toward significance (P=0.060). The number of patients who developed adverse events was no different between groups. However, the number of events of abdominal pain/discomfort was significantly higher in the ibuprofen group than that in the Turmeric Curcuma Domestica extracts group (P=0.046). Most subjects (96%-97%) were satisfied with the treatment, and two-thirds rated themselves as improved in a global assessment.

Conclusions

Turmeric Curcuma Domestica extract is as effective as ibuprofen for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

The side effect profile was similar but with fewer gastrointestinal adverse events reports in the Turmeric Curcuma Domestica extracts group.