VITAMIN-E IN THE TREATMENT OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES

Over the past years, antioxidants, and particularly vitamin E, have re ceived considerable attention in the treatment of human diseases. In r heumatology, interest has been given to the treatment and prevention o f rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. However, the concept of usi ng antioxidant nutrients as potential remedies is not new. As early as the sixties, first case reports have described beneficial effects of vitamin E in the therapy of osteoarthritis. Nonetheless, most of the f ollowing studies were not conducted properly, thus, not allowing valid inferences about the efficacy of vitamin E. Newer studies with sound methodology have shown a beneficial effect in rheumatic diseases, main ly in the reduction of pain. This paper reviews current and past studi es about vitamin E in the treatment of rheumatic diseases.