The Effect of Oral Royal Jelly on Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and Morning Stiffness in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA); A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Rheumatology, School of Medicine, Hajar Hospital, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

2 Resident, Department of Internal Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

3 Professor, Depertment of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahrekord University Of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

4 Lecturer, Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahrekord University Of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

5 General Practitioner, Shahrekord, Iran

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease which can cause articular destruction and disability in patients. Current therapies are relatively effective and sometimes harmful. Royal Jelly with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties may be used as an adjunct therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Royal Jelly on Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and morning stiffness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Methods: According to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1987 classification criteria, 80 patients with RA, who had active disease (CDAI > 2.8), were randomly assigned to receive Royal Jelly or placebo beside background treatment for 3 months. Morning stiffness, tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), evaluator global assessment (EGA) and patient’s global assessment (PGA) [based on visual analogue scale (VAS)] were determined before and after 3 months of intervention. The changes in aforementioned indexes were analyzed by SPSS software.Findings: 65 patients completed the study (35 in Royal Jelly and 30 in placebo group). The sex, age, residence, disease duration and drug consumption had no significant changes (P > 0.050). In the first group, CDAI (P = 0.012), SJC (P = 0.024), TJC (P = 0.027), and morning stiffness (P = 0.004) had significant statistical changes; but only changes in morning stiffness were statistically different between the two groups (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Royal Jelly has good effect on morning stiffness but not on CDAI and may be a suitable adjunct therapy. Further studies may demonstrate more significant results.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 31, Issue 252 - Serial Number 252
July and August 2013
Pages 1428-1434

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History

  • Receive Date: 31 July 2012
  • Revise Date: 29 April 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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