Efficacy and tolerability of Potentilla tincture in complex therapy of patients with knee osteoarthritis

Objective. To assess efficacy and safety of two-month therapy with Potentilla tincturecombined with diclofenac in pts with osteoarthritis (OA) in comparison with diclofenac monotherapy (control group). Material and methods. 60 pts with OA aged 50-75 years were randomly assigned into two groups 30 pts in each. Knee OA was diagnosed according to ACR criteria (1991). Pain at movement, WOMAC index (on VAS), efficacy assessment by physician and pt and diclofenac requirement were used as outcome measures. 1 tea spoon of Potentilla tincture diluted in 1/3 of water glass was given twice a day before meal as well as diclofenac 100 mg/ day during 2 months. Results. Combined therapy provided prominent decrease of pain which exceeded improvement in control group. Significant decrease of summated WOMAC index was achieved only in the main group. Conclusion. Combination of Potentilla tincture and diclofenac was significantly more effective than treatment with diclofenac alone in OA. Combined therapy provided more pronounced analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect than diclofenac monotherapy.