Experience with Karmolis liquid administration for rheumatic diseases local therapy (data of multicenter clinical examination)

Objective. To assess clinical efficacy and tolerability of "Karmolis" liquid (KL) in pts with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Material and methods. 230 RA pts and 123 OA pts were included. KL was applied on the most damaged joint surface 10 ml 4-5 times a day with subsequent massage. The course of the treatment continued for three weeks. Joint pain at rest, at movement and at palpation so as joint swelling were used as efficacy measures. Treatment efficacy was assessed at day 1, 7, 14 and 21. Possibility of NSAID dose decrease was also recorded. Results. KL administration provided significant decrease of joint pain at rest, at movement and at palpation already to day 7 as in RA as in OA pts. The improvement then persisted during the rest period of treatment. Joint swelling disappeared to the end of the treatment in 141 from 209 RA pts having such changes at baseline. 74% of RA pts considered KL efficacy very good and good. Synovitis signs disappeared after the treatment with KL in 52 from 65 OA pts. Vfcry good and good results were achieved in 102 (83%) of OA pts. 76 RA pts (33%) and 73 OA pts (53%) could decrease NSAID dose. Adverse events were very seldom and did not require treatment termination. Conclusion. KL in effective in complex treatment of RA and OA. It decrease pain and inflammation and may be recommended for wide administration in the treatment of inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases