METHYL-SULFONYL-METHANE (M.S.M.)
A Double Blind Study Of Its Use In Degenerative
Arthritis
(A Preliminary Correspondence)
By Ronald M. Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Clinical Professor
U.C.L.A. School of Medicine
Los Angeles, California
A total of sixteen patients were studied over a period
of four months. Initially twelve patients were admitted to the study and
subsequently (two months later) an additional four patients were added to the
study group. The initial twelve patients were divided as follows. Eight were
given the M.S.M., while four received the placebo. Later, the additional four
patients were divided into two on M.S.M. and two on placebo. Totally, therefore,
we had ten patients on M.S.M. and six patients on placebo.
Criteria for Selection
Patients ranged from age 55 to age 78. All patients had
x-ray evidence of degenerative joint disease (degenerative arthritis). All
patients had pain in the involved area ranging from four weeks to six months.
Most of the patients had tried non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin
type compounds. None had taken steroids either orally or by injection. All
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or other anti-arthritic medications or
alternative health remedies were stopped a least three days prior to their
entering the study.
Patients were randomly chosen by lot and assigned to
either the active (M.S.M.) group or the placebo group. The treating physician
did not have knowledge as to which patient received which agent until after the
completion of the study. Records were kept by an independent evaluator until the
study was terminated. Both the patients and the physicians were blinded.
Of the eight patients on LIGNISUL MSM™, two had
osteoarthritis in their hands, three had lumbar degenerative joint disease, two
had degenerative arthritis in their knees, and one had arthritis in the
shoulder.
Of the six patients who received the placebo, two had
degenerative arthritis in the knees, two had lumbar degenerative joint disease,
one had degenerative arthritis in the hip, and one had osteoarthritis in the
neck.
Dosage
Patients were instructed to take two capsules on an
empty stomach in the A.M. after arising and one capsule before lunch. This
constituted a 2250 milligram dose of LIGNISUL MSM™ daily and zero dose of
M.S.M. on the placebo.
Measurement
Each patient was administered a visual analog scale (V.A.S.)
which consisted of a I 0-cm line anchored at one end by a label of "no
pain" and at the other end a label of "pain as bad as could possibly
be." The scoring is accomplished by having the patient mark the line
indicating pain intensity, and the line is then measured to the mark on a I -100
scale (9).
Results
The V.A.S. was completed by each patient at the four
week and at the six week visit. Records were measured by an independent
evaluator.
At the four week visit, the patients on the
LIGNISULmsi4rm showed a 60 percent improvement on average, while at the six week
V.A.S. evaluation the patients showed and 82 percent improvement in pain on
average.
Those on the placebo showed an improvement of 20
percent on average at four weeks and an 18 percent improvement on average at six
weeks.
ABSTRACT
This preliminary simple study was performed to
initially evaluate 16 patients suffering from degenerative arthritis as to the
effect of using LIGNISUL MSM™ to control their pain. Eight patients, randomly
chosen, were treated with 2250 mgms of M.S.M. per day. Six patients received
placebo capsules. Results indicate a better than 80 percent control of pain
within six weeks of beginning the study, while only two patients showed a
minimal improvement (less than 20 percent) on the placebo. Although this was
only a simple preliminary study, it appears that a more intensive investigation
of M.S.M. is warranted. A larger group of arthritic patients an additional
measurement evaluation (such as range of motion, etc.) should be utilized in
such a future study. LIGNISUL MSM™ may offer a significant new nutritional
substance for the control of arthritic pain as a safe, non-toxic method.
References
1. Lovelock, J.E. et al. Nature, Vol. 237, p452, 1972
2. Williams, K.I.H. et al. Arch Biochern Biophys, Vol. 113, p251, 1966
3. Jacob, S.W. and Herschler, R., Ann NY Acad Sci, Vol. 411, pxii 1983
4. Richmond, V.L., J Nutrition, Vol. 116 NO. 6, June, 1986
5. Deichman, W.B. & Gerarde, H.W. "Toxicology of Drugs &
Chemicals, 4bEdition, Arcadia Press, 1969
6. Jacob, S.W., Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon,
Personal communication
7. Jacob, S.W., Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon,
personal communication
8. Rizzo, R. et al. Jour Exp Zool, 1995 September, 1,273(l):82-6
9. Carlson, A.M. Pain, 16:86, 1983
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