Evidence Based Medicine

ULT’s physicians and pharmacologists created Arthroleve™ using the principles of evidence based medicine (EBM) and the results of university clinical trials worldwide.

Evidence based medicine researchers evaluate a broad spectrum of evidence—such as meta-analyses, systematic reviews of existing research, randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and other methods of inquiry—to make decisions about patient care and treatment.

Below is a small cross section of the scientific evidence used in formulating patent-pending Arthroleve™:

S-adenosyl methionine

• In a double-blind crossover trial, the authors concluded that S-adenosyl methionine is as effective as celecoxib (Celebrex®) in the management of symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (Najm WI et al, 2004).

• A meta-analysis concluded that S-adenosyl methionine appears to be as effective as NSAIDS in reducing pain and improving functional limitation in patients with osteoarthritis without the adverse effects often associated with NSAID therapies (Soeken et al, 2003).
  
  
• S-adenosyl methionine plays an important role in the liver, acting as a protective agent for oxidative stress. Patients with liver disease often become deficient and may benefit from the administration of this supernutrient (Liber, 2002).

Harpagophytum procumbens

• A recent double-blind pilot study comparing Harpagophytum procumbens to rofecoxib (Vioxx®) found both treatment groups responded equally well in the treatment of lower back pain. The authors also found that 20 percent of the patients treated for low back pain with Harpagophytum procumbens were completely pain free after six weeks of treatment (Chrubasik et al, 2003).

• In a recent review of the literature on Harpagophytum procumbens, the study authors concluded that there is strong evidence for its effectiveness in treating non-specific lower back pain (NSLBP) and moderate evidence for its effectiveness in treating osteoarthritis pain (Gagnier et al, 2004).

Glucosamine sulfate

• In Drug Discovery Today, a 2004 review article concluded that glucosamine sulfate was effective in narrowing joint space, as a structure-modifying agent to protect joints, and in symptomatic relief of arthritic pain (Curtis et al, 2004).
  

• A recent review of the scientific literature published in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy concluded that available evidence suggests glucosamine sulfate may be effective and safe in improving symptoms and delaying the progression of knee osteoarthritis (Poolsup et al, 2005).

For a more extensive list of research or information about evidence-based medicine, please visit the Cochrane Collaboration Web site or contact us .

References:

Chrubasik S, Model A, Black A, Pollak S. A randomized double-blind study comparing Doloteffin® and Vioxx® in the treatment of low back pain. Rheumatology. 2003:32;141-8.

Gagnier JJ, Chrubasik S, Manheimer E. Harpophytum procumbens for osteoarthritis and low back pain: a systematic review. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2004 Sep 15;4:13.

Poolsup N, Suthisisang C, Channark P, Kittikulsuth W. Glucosamine long-term treatment and the progression of knee osteoarthritis: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 2005 June;39:1080-87.

Curtis CL, Harwood JL, Dent CD, Caterson B. Biological basis for benefit of nutraceutical supplementation in arthritis. Drug Discovery Today. 2004;9:16572.

Bressa GM. S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAMe) as antidepressants: meta-analysis of clinical studies. Acta Neurol Scand Suppl. 1994;154:7-14.

Najm WI, Reinsch S, Hoehler F, Tobis JS, Harvery PW. S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) versus celecoxib for the treatment of osteoarthritis symptoms: a double-blind cross-over trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2004 Feb 26;5(1):6.

Liber CS, S-adenosyl-L-methionine: its role in the treatment of liver disorders. AM J Clin Nutr. 2002;76(5):1183s-7s.

Setty AR, Sigal LH. Herbal Medications Commonly Used in the Practice of Rheumatology: Mechanisms of Action, Efficacy, and Side Effects. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2005 Jun;34(6):773-84.

Jacobsen S., Dannekiold-Samsoe B, Andersen RB. Oral S-adenosylmethionine in primary fibromyalgia. Double-blind clinical evaluation. Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. 1991;20(4):294-302.

Williams Al, Girard C, Jui D, Sabrina A, Katz DL. S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) as treatment for depression: a systematic review. Clinical & Investigative Medicine – Medecine Clinique et Experimentale. 2005 June;28(3):132-9.

Soeken KL, Lee W, Bausell R, Anelli M, Berman BM. Safety and efficacy of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) for osteoarthritis. ACP J Club. 2003 Jan-Feb;138(1):21.