Today, the Arthritis Research Campaign (arc) launches the first evidence-based report dedicated to the use of complementary medicines in arthritis using results from randomised controlled trials.

Complementary and alternative medicines for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia is a summary of existing published studies which indicates whether or not there is scientific evidence to support the clinical effectiveness and safety of certain named products for people with arthritis.

Despite the number of complementary and alternative medicines on the market, the report found that evidence from randomised controlled trials was available for only 40 of them. There are considerable variations in the level of scientific data to support the effectiveness of such medicines. For nearly two thirds of compounds used for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (the most common inflammatory arthritis) the available data suggest they are not effective, while the effectiveness of glucosamine, a supplement popular with people with osteoarthritis (OA) is again called into question. Effectiveness is measured by improvements in pain, movement or general well-being.

The report says:

For rheumatoid arthritis (RA):

-Nearly two thirds (13 out of 21 complementary medicines [62 per cent]) were shown to have no or little effect based on the available evidence (scoring 1 out of 5 on the effectiveness scale)…