A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effects of Diosmin in the Treatment of Radicular Pain

Abstract EN

Diosmin has been widely used to treat patients with vascular pain for its potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

To evaluate the therapeutic effects of Diosmin in the treatment of radicular pain, we conducted an investigator-initiated, randomized, active-controlled noninferiority trial between January 1, 2009, and December 1, 2010.

Diosmin (50 mg/kg/day) was orally administered to treat the radicular pain in 150 patients for one month.

Another 150 patients with the same symptom were given 20% 250 ml mannitol (1 g/kg/day) for 7 days and dexamethasone (10 mg/day) for 3 days intravenously guttae.

Short-term relief and long-term relief were measured.

Secondary outcomes include improvement in functional and psychological status, return to work, and reduction in anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs intake.

Patients treated with oral Diosmin achieved reduction in radicular pain.

The total satisfaction rate of Diosmin group was 84.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 77.9%, 90.0%], and the complete satisfaction rate was 50.7% (95% CI: 42.4%, 58.9%).

No statistically significant difference was found between the Diosmin group and the active-control group regarding patient satisfaction.

No adverse effects were found during the study period.

Our study suggests that clinical application of Diosmin with a dose of 50 mg/kg/day might reduce the radicular pain.

This trial is registered with ISRCTN97157037.