Role of diacerein in osteoarthritis.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the role of Diacerein among patients with OA. Study Design: Retrospective Case Series. Setting: Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Period: April 2020 to September 2020. Material & Methods: The study was conducted among forty patients with OA (grade II to IV according to ACR criteria) at Department of Rheumatology (EMW), Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Baseline WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index) and VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) was noted. Diacerine, 100mg in bd (twice a day) dose was given for 6 months. After 6 months, WOMAC and VAS were noted and %age improvement was calculated. Results: The mean WOMAC at presentation was 48.78+6.42 and after treatment was 36.20+20 (p<0.05). The mean VAS before and after treatment was 5.88+1.20 and 3.58+3.22, respectively (p<0.05). A 20% improvement was seen among 40% patients. The efficacy of the drug was labeled as yes in 40% patients. One (2.5%) patients suffered from diarrhea, and one (2.5%) patient had raised LFTs after treatment. Conclusion: Diacerine significantly improves the mean WOMAC and VAS score after 6 months of therapy. The efficacy is also high. So, it can be considered as an alternative drug among symptomatic patients with OA in whom the symptoms do not improve after conventional analgesics.