The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluvoxamine (Flevarin) in patients with a chronic pain syndrome due to hip and knee arthritis.
We prospectively investigated 60 patients in a single-centre double-blind study. The group was divided into two groups (M1 fluvoxamine; M2 placebo) each containing 30 patients, age ranging from 30 to 80 years. During treatment results were evaluated using several scales once at the beginning (V1) followed by weekly evaluations (V1-V8) and one final investigation at the end of treatment (V9). The investigated medication consisted of 50-150 mg fluvoxamine. In addition other drugs such as NSAID were administered (diclofenac, piroxicam, ibuprofen).
Both groups (M1 and M2) showed a reduction of pain during treatment using the visual analogue scale (VAS). However, no statistical difference was found between both groups concerning pain reduction at any time. A significant pain relief was monitored in the patients of the M1 group towards the end of treatment. Concerning the daily impairment because of pain measured by the Griss scale an improvement was seen in 70 % of the patients receiving fluvoxamine versus 44 % in patients receiving placebo. Additionally, an improvement in the M1 group was seen in the WOMAC scale and in factors such as pain, stiffness and mobility compared to the M2 group. Using the CGI scale, 56.6 % of the M1 group compared to 37.9 % of the M2 group were stating that their overall status had improved "much" or "very much" at the end of the treatment (V9). A depression had been excluded in all patients. No statistical differences were seen in the Bf scale (von Zerssen) during all evaluations (V1 to V9). During the whole study 127 side effects were registered in 49 patients. None of the 5 severe events were related to the investigated drug.
Considering the good effects in combination with very few side effects, a positive cost-effectiveness relation for the usage of fluvoxamine can be stated in patients with chronic pain syndrome due to hip and knee arthritis.