ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Minerva Endocrinologica 2019 March;44(1):97-101

DOI: 10.23736/S0391-1977.18.02820-1

Copyright © 2018 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Pycnogenol®: supplementary management of symptomatic osteoarthritis with a patch. An observational registry study

Beatrice FERAGALLI ^{1, 2}, Mark DUGALL ^{1, 2}, Roberta LUZZI ^{1, 2}, Andrea LEDDA ^{1, 2}, Morio HOSOI ^{1, 2}, Gianni BELCARO ^{1, 2} ✉, Maria R. CESARONE ^{1, 2}

¹ IRVINE3 Labs, Chieti-Pescara University, Chieti, Italy; ² International Agency for Pharma Standard Supplements (IAPPS), Chieti, Italy

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present observational registry study was to evaluate the efficacy of a thin polycarbonate patch of Pycnogenol® in alleviating symptoms of knee arthrosis, in comparison to the standard management usually applied to treat osteoarthritis (OA).
METHODS: A total of 67 subjects were included in the registry: 34 formed the control group, and 33 entered the active management group in which the Pycnogenol® patch was used. Two Pycnogenol® patches were used every day for three weeks. Each patch contains 110 mg Pycnogenol®. All patients included in this registry suffered from osteoarthritis of the knee.
RESULTS: Results from this study show that Pycnogenol® patch allows faster improvement in OA symptoms, with a decrease in the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other painkillers. Pycnogenol® patch significally reduced C reactive protein and ESR.
CONCLUSIONS: Pycnogenol® patch was effective in controlling mild to moderate pain and inflammations and its related symptoms in subjects with knee OA over a period of three weeks.

KEY WORDS: Osteoarthritis, knee - Pycnogenol® - Transdermal patch - Inflammation