SOMATOSTATIN-14 AND JOINT INFLAMMATION - EVIDENCE FOR INTRAARTICULAR EFFICACY OF PROLONGED ADMINISTRATION IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Previous studies with intraarticular administration of somatostatin (S ST14) in rheumatoid arthritis showed an antiinflammatory and analgesic effect. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the efficacy and tolerability of SST14 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients for a longer period of treatment than previously scheduled. Forty-one patien ts with RA of the knee were treated with a cycle of intraarticular inj ection of 750 mu g of SST14, every 15 days. The efficacy of SST14 was evaluated by determining acute phase parameters (erythrocyte sedimenta tion rate, C-reactive protein [CRP]) and by clinical assessment (pain at rest and on movement, joint tenderness, morning stiffness, spontane ous pain). Additionally, telethermography was performed to evaluate th e intensity of the joint inflammation. The tolerability of the treatme nt was also assessed both by patients and physicians. SST14 produced a reduction in all parameters; this was already statistically significa nt after the second injection in terms of pain al rest and on movement , and after the third injection for all other symptoms. The treatment showed an excellent tolerability, both local and systemic. Our results indicate the analgesic property of SST14 and demonstrate its capacity to reduce progressively joint inflammation confirmed by thermography and by reduction of pain, after a month of therapy.