Date of Award
2017
Degree Type
Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review
Degree Name
Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant
Department
Physician Assistant Studies
Department Chair
John Cavenagh, MBA, PhD, PA-C
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine “Are antibiotics, other than roxithromycin, an effective way to manage joint pain in rheumatoid arthritis?”
STUDY DESIGN: Review of three double-blind, randomized-controlled studies published in English between 2001-2007.
DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials published between 2001 and 2007 were found using PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane databases.
OUTCOMES MEASURED: Clinical outcome for all three studies used American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, which assesses joints for swelling and tenderness.
RESULTS: In the Odell et al.1 study, at 24 months 28 participants did meet the ACR50 criteria. In treatment group 1, 18 of 30 (60%) participants and 10 of 30 (33%) participants in treatment group 2 met the ACR50 criteria, (P=0.04). Ogrendik et al.2 34% of participants in the antibiotic treatment group had an ACR50 response at 6 months versus 10% in treatment group 2. Ogrendik et al.3 found that 34.2% of participants in the antibiotic treatment group had an ACR50 response at 6 months compared to 7.9% in treatment group 2.
CONCLUSIONS: The statistical results from all three studies found that antibiotics had greater efficacy in treating pain in rheumatoid arthritis compared to other interventions or placebo. It would be beneficial to study the effects of antibiotic use in patients who had chronic RA.
Recommended Citation
Hoffman, Kelly A., "Are Antibiotics, Other Than Roxithromycin, An Effective Way to Manage Joint Pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis?" (2017). PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship. 386.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/pa_systematic_reviews/386