Efficacy of Qingpeng ointment (a Tibetan medicine) for acute gouty arthritis: a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of Qingpeng ointment (QPO), a Tibetan medicine for alleviating symptoms in individuals with acute gouty arthritis (AGA). METHODS: This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that involved individuals with AGA whose joint pain, as measured on a visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 to 10, was equal to or greater than 3. The participants were randomly assigned to either the QPO or the placebo group and received their respective treatments twice daily for seven consecutive days. In case of intolerable pain, the participants were allowed to use diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets as a rescue medicine. The primary outcomes measured were joint pain and swelling, while the secondary outcomes included joint mobility, redness, serum uric acid levels, C-reactive protein levels, and the amount of remaining rescue medicine. Any adverse events that occurred during the trial were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 203 cases were divided into two groups, with balanced baselines: 102 in the QPO group and 101 in the placebo group. For joint pain, differences between the groups were notable in the VAS scores [1.75 (0, 3.00) versus 2.00 (1.00, 3.50); P = 0.038], changes in VAS [5.00 (3.00, 6.00) versus 4.00 (2.00, 6.00); P = 0.036], and disappearance rate [26.47% compared to 15.84%; P = 0.046] after treatment. Concerning joint swelling, significant between-group differences were observed in the VAS scores [1.00 (0, 2.30) versus 2.00 (0.70, 3.00); P = 0.032] and disappearance rate [33.33% compared to 21.78%; P = 0.046] at treatment completion. The QPO group exhibited a statistically significant mobility improvement compared to the placebo group (P = 0.004). No significant differences were found in other secondary outcomes. Five patients, four from the QPO group and one from the other, encountered mild adverse events, primarily skin irritation. All of these cases were resolved after dosage reduction or discontinuation of the medication. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the placebo, QPO exhibits positive effects on AGA by alleviating pain, reducing swelling, and enhancing joint mobility, without causing significant adverse effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN34355813. Registered on 25/01/2021.

Efficacy and safety of Tibetan medicine Qingpeng ointment for acute gouty arthritis: protocol for a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute gouty arthritis (AGA) is an inflammatory arthritis clinically characterized by severe pain, swelling, and restricted movement of joints, which may cause physical disability and decrease quality of life. The use of recommended first-line treatment agents for AGA may be limited by adverse events. There has been a traditional use of alternative therapies for AGA. Tibetan medicine Qingpeng ointment is one of the on-market herbal products used for symptom relief of AGA. Previous clinical studies indicated that Qingpeng ointment can relieve pain, swelling, redness, and dysfunction of joints in patients with AGA. However, there is no rigorous randomized trial to demonstrate its benefit for AGA. In order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Qingpeng ointment for AGA, we designed a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: This study is designed as a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Two hundred and six adults with acute flare of gout, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score of joint pain ≥ 3 points will be recruited. Participants will be randomly assigned to herbal treatment or placebo group at a ratio of 1:1. Qingpeng ointment, or equal placebo ointment, will be applied topically at involved joints twice a day for consecutive 7 days. Patients in both groups would be allowed giving diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets as rescue therapy when VAS score of joint pain ≥ 7 points during the treatment. The primary outcomes will be joint pain measured by VAS score, and joint swelling measured using width and thickness of affected joints and VAS score. Other outcome measures will be joint mobility, joint redness, C-reactive protein, serum uric acid, and the use of rescue medicine as well as adverse effect. DISCUSSION: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first multi-center, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the efficacy of Tibetan medicine Qingpeng ointment for AGA. The findings of this study would provide evidence for its use to relieve symptoms of AGA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN ISRCTN34355813 . Registered on 25 January 2021.