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Pharmacotherapy and osteoarthritis
S J Brady1, P Brooks, P Conaghan
1Department of Rheumatology, St Vincents Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.
Bailliere'S Clinical Rheumatology
|January 16, 1998
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) therapies currently focus on symptom relief using analgesics and NSAIDs. Disease-modifying drugs (DMOADs) are still experimental, aiming to prevent cartilage damage and promote restoration.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Pharmacology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) management aims to alleviate pain and improve joint function.
- Current treatments are classified as symptom-modifying OA drugs (SMOADs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current therapeutic strategies for osteoarthritis.
- To differentiate between symptom-modifying and disease-modifying OA drugs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing OA therapies.
- Categorization of drugs based on their mechanism of action (SMOADs vs. DMOADs).
Main Results:
- Paracetamol and capsaicin are recommended first-line analgesics for OA symptom relief.
- NSAIDs offer additional symptomatic benefit but carry higher toxicity risks.
- Newer NSAIDs may offer safety improvements, pending further evidence.
Conclusions:
- Existing OA treatments are primarily SMOADs.
- Disease-modifying OA drugs (DMOADs) targeting cartilage repair are under development but remain experimental.