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Effectiveness of Curcuma longa extract versus placebo for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

  • 2021-07-02
  • Phytotherapy research : PTR 35(11)
    • Wenli Dai
    • Wenqiang Yan
    • Xi Leng
    • Jing Chen
    • Xiaoqing Hu
    • Yingfang Ao

Study Design

Type
Meta-Analysis
Sample size
n = 783
Population
patients with knee OA
Methods
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 RCTs; databases searched up to April 2021; pooled results using mean differences or relative risks with 95% CI
The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of all types of Curcuma longa extract versus placebo for knee osteoarthritis (OA) treatment. The research was conducted by using the databases of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library through April 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the effect of Curcuma longa extract with placebo for patients with knee OA were considered eligible. The pooled results were expressed as mean differences or relative risks with 95% confidence intervals. A total of 10 RCTs with 783 patients were eligible for this meta-analysis. The pooled analysis showed that Curcuma longa extract was associated with significantly better pain relief and functional improvement compared with placebo for knee OA. Moreover, the smallest effect sizes of VAS for pain and WOMAC total score exceeded the minimum clinically important differences (MCIDs). Current evidence indicates that, compared with placebo, Curcuma longa extract has more benefit in pain relief and functional improvement for symptomatic knee OA. However, considering the potential heterogeneity in the included studies, more future high-quality RCTs with large sample sizes are necessary to confirm the benefits of Curcuma longa extract on knee OA.

Research Insights

  • Turmeric→Improved Physical Function

    Curcuma longa extract was associated with significantly better pain relief and functional improvement compared with placebo for knee OA.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Turmeric→Reduced Pain

    Curcuma longa extract was associated with significantly better pain relief and functional improvement compared with placebo for knee OA.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate

Adverse Events Reported

  • Turmeric→Overall tolerability

    The study does not explicitly report adverse events, side effects, or safety findings in the abstract.

    Finding
    Reported
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