Osteoarthritis is common in the UK, with nearly nine million adults over the age of 45 seeking treatment due to painful flare-ups in the knees, hands, hips and spine.
Patients whose hands are affected by the condition often report sharp and aching pain in the finger and thumb joints, even when they’re at rest.
Fortunately, new findings suggest a combination of turmeric and Boswellia plant extracts could significantly reduce pain in the extremities of arthritis sufferers.
The Belgian clinical trial of 162 patients with symptomatic hand osteoarthritis showed that those taking two tablets daily of the plant extract combination experienced greater pain relief over three months, with noticeable improvements showing up within a month of treatment.
Turmeric is revered for its anti-inflammatory properties
GETTY
Researchers discovered the treatment group achieved a mean pain reduction of 24.7mm on a visual analogue scale, compared to 16.2mm in the placebo group, representing a statistically significant difference of 8.5mm.
The findings suggest a potential new treatment option for the millions affected by hand osteoarthritis.
The multi-centre trial was conducted across 11 Belgian sites between 2022 and 2024, enrolling adults with a mean age of 63.1 years, of whom 76.5 per cent were women.
Participants had experienced hand pain on at least half the days in the previous month and reported pain levels between 40 and 80mm on a 100mm visual analogue scale in at least one hand during the 24 hours before baseline assessment.
The 162 patients were randomly assigned to receive either two tablets of the patented Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata extract combination or identical-looking placebo tablets daily for three months.
The primary outcome measured was the mean change in finger pain across both hands over the previous 24 hours using the visual analogue scale.
At one month, the treatment group already showed a significant benefit with a 7mm greater reduction in pain compared to placebo.
By three months, patients receiving the plant extracts demonstrated significant improvements in patient global assessment, with a difference of 9.6mm, and enhanced quality of life scores.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Osteoarthritis can cause sharp and aching pain in the finger and thumb joints
GETTYCompliance exceeded 90 per cent in both groups, with no significant difference in adverse effects between them, most of which were unrelated to the plant extracts.
"The investigational product used in the study is an option for healthcare providers and researchers working on novel pain relief products," the authors wrote.
While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, the condition does not necessarily get worse over time.
While dietary interventions can alleviate symptoms by tackling inflammation, certain treatments can also slow the condition's progression.
Most Read
