Pain Reduction in
Rheumatic Diseases by Oral Therapy with Enzymes.
Klein G1., Kullich W2. Pain Reduction in
Rheumatic Diseases by Oral Therapy with Enzymes. Wien. Med. Wschr.
1999, 149, pp. 577-580. Full text
in German
Summary: Proteolytic enzymes have analgesic effects, besides the
well-known anti-inflammatory and edema-reducing properties. These
analgesic effects are based on the inhibition of inflammation and in
addition to that on direct influences on the nociceptors. All that
explains the therapeutical effects of such enzymes in
degenerative-rheumatic and soft tissue rheumatic diseases in which
inflammatory or immunologic processes are not in the forefront. In
recent years a significant reduction of pain in various rheumatic
diseases, concerning these aspects, was shown in several clinical
studies. The clinical trial in patients with periarthritis of
shoulder showed statistical equivalence of pain reduction, whether
they were treated with Phlogenzym or diclofenac. Likewise in the
trial of patients suffering from painful osteoarthritis of the knee,
there was a statistical equivalence of the pain-scores, comparing
diclofenac and enzymes.
The study of painful vertebral-syndromes again resulted in
equivalence of the treatment with NSAIDs compared to therapy with
enzymes.
PMID:
10666820