Role of Vitamin B Complex as an Add-on Therapy to Diclofenac in Patients with Primary Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Objective: This study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Vitamin B complex as an add‑on therapy to diclofenac in patients with primary osteoarthritis(OA) of the knee.

Materials and Methods: In this prospective, open‑labeled, randomized, and comparative clinical study, a total of 130 patients of age >40 years with primary OA of knee attending orthopedics OPD were randomly allocated into two groups of 65 each, i.e., Group D and Group B. In Group D, patients received tablet diclofenac 75 mg and in Group B, patients received tablet Vitamin B complex along with diclofenac once daily for 4 weeks, respectively. Clinical assessment was done at baseline and at the end of 4 weeks and 8 weeks by the visual analog scale (VAS), WOMAC index, and Lequesne index.

Results: During the intergroup comparison, it was found that Vitamin B complex as an add‑on therapy to diclofenac produced statistically significant reduction in mean VAS pain score (P < 0.05). However, the difference in mean WOMAC index and Lequesne index was not statistically different at 4 and 8 weeks between the two groups (P > 0.05). Mild side effects were seen at 4 weeks, but no side effects persisted up to 8 weeks in both the groups.

Conclusion: The present study suggested that Vitamin B complex as an add‑on therapy was found to cause a significant reduction in pain score. It could be a promising drug in patients with OA to improve the analgesic effect, when combined can reduce the dose of diclofenac, thereby minimizing the side effects.