Inflammatory processes release reactive oxygen species, destroying cartilage tissue. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and protects cartilage tissue. Dietary intake of vitamin E is often low in patients with osteoarthrosis, and short term clinical studies have shown symptomatic relief in pain. Therefore, efficacy and tolerability of vitamin E are investigated in routine use of medical practitioners.
Open, multicentric observational study including 151 patients with osteoarthritis (knee, hip): 85 patients were treated with 333,5 mg RRR-alpha-tocopherol (monotherapy), 61 patients with 333,5 mg RRR-alpha-tocopherol and a further analgesic (combination therapy). 5 patients (2 monotherapy, 3 combination) failed to turn up for follow-up (dropout). According to the study design, the physician was free in his treatment (assignment to treatment, choice of analgesic). After 4, 8, and 12 weeks the efficacy and tolerability were determined by physicians and by patients.
Demographic data were comparable in both groups, however clinical condition was slightly worse in the combination group. In the course of the treatment, all parameters improved in both groups. Monotherapy was somewhat less effective and set on later. There were two adverse events in the monotherapy group (total endoprosthesis, itching). Tolerability of monotherapy was rated slightly better than combination therapy by physicians and by patients.
For patients with gonarthrosis or coxarthrosis the supplementation of Vitamin E to an analgetic medication is reasonable and well tolerated.