Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Reference: Louw,I, et al. A pilot study of the clinical effects of a mixture of beta-sitosterol and beta-sitosterol glucoside in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Am J Clin Nutr 2002; 75(2), 351S [Abstract 40].
Study: In a controlled trial, 18 patients were randomised to receive either 20mg BSS/0.2mg BSSG capsules (Moducare®) or placebo three times a day for 24 weeks. All patients had active RA as defined by American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria.
Patients in both the treatment and placebo groups used anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications for the duration of the study. No new therapies could be initiated during the study. Patient response was assessed in terms of ACR response criteria (>20% improvement).
Results: In the group receiving the BSS:BSSG mixture, statistically significant changes were noted in the mean tender joint count (85% ACR response); patient's assessment of pain (28% response); patient's global assessment of disease activity (33% response); physician's global assessment of pain (47%) and the MHAQ decreased (47% response). The ESR also decreased significantly (56% response). The placebo group had no significant improvement using the ACR criteria.
Clinical Summary: Due to the potent anti-inflammatory properties of Moducare®, patients with RA may benefit from the addition of this phytosterol mixture to current management strategies.
