PITTSBURGH, Nov. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A new peer-reviewed study published today in the Journal of Pain Research indicates that Wobenzym®, an oral enzyme combination (OEC) containing proteolytic enzymes and bioflavonoid, showed comparable efficacy and a superior tolerability and safety profile associated with a significantly lower risk of treatment-emergent adverse events compared to nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Diclofenac in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.
Osteoarthritis of the knee affects, on average, 25 percent of the general population in the Western world and is the most prevalent cause of pain and locomotor disability worldwide.
Researchers at the Institute of Neurological Sciences, Nuremberg; Interdisciplinary Center for Pain and Palliative Care Medicine, Göppingen; Interdisciplinary Center for Rheumatology and Immunology, Frankfurt; and O. Meany Consultancy, Hamburg, Germany, conducted this meta-analysis of six different double-blind, comparator-controlled intervention studies of Wobenzym® versus NSAIDs in osteoarthritis.
In the meta-analysis, the authors report that while treatment with both OECs and NSAIDs resulted in significant and comparable improvements in pain, function and daily living as compared to baseline, OEC treatment resulted in significantly fewer treatment-emergent adverse effects (TEAEs), and virtually no change in key hepatic enzymes, a common side effect of NSAID treatment.
“Our analysis concludes that Wobenzym® is a safe and effective alternative to NSAIDs in the management of pain and is better tolerated by patients,” said lead researcher Michael Überall, of the Institute of Neurological Sciences. “We are encouraged by the results, which indicate that a safer alternative exists for patients who may have discontinued NSAID use due to adverse effects and still struggle with the pain of osteoarthritis of the knee.”
In total, researchers evaluated 774 patients from six prospective, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group studies comparing the effects of Wobenzym® to diclofenac in subjective pain scores and quality of life measures.
The original studies were sponsored by Mucos Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Germany, a subsidiary of Atrium Innovations Inc., and all work was conducted independently without influence from the sponsor.
About Atrium Innovations
Atrium Innovations Inc. is a globally recognized leader in the development, manufacturing and commercialization of innovative, science-based, natural health products that are distributed in more than 35 countries. The company owns healthcare practitioner and specialized retail product brands that are at the forefront of science, innovation and education. Atrium has over 1,300 employees and operates seven manufacturing facilities, all of which comply with Current Good Manufacturing Practices. The family of Atrium Innovations brands includes Pure Encapsulations, Garden of Life, Wobenzym®, Genestra Brands, Douglas Laboratories and Klean Athlete.
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SOURCE Atrium Innovations Inc.
