Effect of Ginger-Naproxen on Knee Osteoarthritis: A Clinical Study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate clinical efficacy and safety of ginger with naproxen, in treating knee osteoarthritis. Study design and setting: Randomized clinical trial conducted in medicine department OPD of National Medical Center, Karachi from 21st September 2018 till 31st March 2019. Methodology: This study was conducted on 60 patients of knee osteoarthritis. After written informed consent, the patients were randomized to two groups. Group A received tablet naproxen 500mg and capsule ginger 550mg, twice daily and group B was given tablet naproxen 500mg twice daily. Total 53 patients finished the study (group A: n=27 and group B: n=26). Baseline pain (Visual Analogue Scale) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) scores were noted at the beginning of study and reassessed after 6 weeks of the intervention. Safety profile of the drugs was assessed by observing adverse effects. Independent t-test was applied to check difference between the two groups. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0. P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Before the intervention no significant difference was observed in two groups. However significant difference was observed between the groups in pain (p=0.019) and WOMAC (p=0.020) scores after 6 weeks of intervention. Moreover there was no significant difference (p=0.914) in occurrence of adverse effects between the two groups at the end of 6 weeks of study. Conclusion: Ginger with naproxen can effectively treat pain and stiffness in knee osteoarthritis without added adverse effects when compared with naproxen alone