New study demonstrates no benefit to off-label hand osteoarthritis therapy

A drug that is sometimes used as an off-label treatment forosteoarthritis of the hand may not actually provide the presumed benefits, according to new research. Arthritis Research UK has funded a study from the University of Leeds that calls into question the current practice of offering the drughydroxychloroquine off-label as a means ofpain relief when conventional medication has failed, as the evidence suggests it is likely to be ineffective. No benefit from off-label therapy Currently, the common first-line treatment for hand osteoarthritis is paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatorydrugs or opioids, but doctors often use hydroxychloroquine as a backup option for patients who experience adverse reactions to initial therapies. This is despite the fact that hydroxychloroquine is not specifically licensed for this condition, and that no comprehensive research has been done into whether it is actually effective in these cases. As such, this new study aimed to analyse the drug's performance among 248 patients attending 13 NHS hospitals in England. Data published in the Annals of Internal Medicine showed that patients initially reported a small reduction in the severity of pain when receiving hydroxychloroquine, but this improvement soon plateaued, with any benefits being no more pronounced than when a placebo was used. Measurements of grip strength and structural damage delivered similar results. Do current medical practices need to change? Hydroxychloroquine is known t...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news