Ambulantná terapia 3/2008

PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common disease of joints. Pain is the crucial clinical symptom of the disease. Painfull signs of OA can be alleviated by appropriate treatment. Initializing treatment we have to assess the extent of patient affection, intensity of pain, localization of joint damage, comorbidities and co-medication. Only in rare instance is the course of OA quick and irreversibly leading to timely surgical therapy. In the majority of cases the disease progresses and pain is aggravated. Multidisciplinary approach is necessary in theese cases. The aim of non – pharmacological treatment is prevention of quick progression of the disease and gain in compliance. The choice of pharmacological treatment has the aim to relieve pain and to reduce potential risks of adverse events of treatment. Adjunctive medication favours to the effect of basal mediaction, enhancing it´s impact. Monitoring of the side effects is a consistent part of therapy.

Keywords: osteoarthritis, pain, analgetics, NSAIDs