Prospective study assessing the effects of the novel pharmaconutraceutical Revocca (unsaponifiable compounds of avocado and soybeans in a 1:2 ratio, rosehip fruit extract, resveratrol, zinc citrate) on the clinical manifestations of osteoarthritis (VECTOR)

Objective: to evaluate the effects of the novel pharmaconutraceutical Revocca on the clinical manifestations of osteoarthritis (OA).

Material and methods. A 3-month prospective study included 50 women aged 40–75 years (mean age 58.3±10.1 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of knee OA according to ACR criteria, Kellgren–Lawrence grade II–III, with pain on walking ≥40 mm on a visual analogue scale (VAS), who provided written informed consent. The median OA duration was 5 [3; 8] years.

A metabolic phenotype of OA was present in 22% of patients, an inflammatory phenotype in 10%, an osteoporotic phenotype in 12%, a mixed phenotype in 26%, while in 30% the phenotype could not be determined.

Patients took 2 capsules of the pharmaconutraceutical once daily throughout the observation period. All patients were allowed to use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) “as needed.”

Three physician visits (V) were scheduled during the study. Treatment efficacy was assessed by the dynamics of pain intensity in the target knee joint on walking (VAS), WOMAC index, KOOS scale, and EQ-5D questionnaire scores. Additional assessments included the patient’s VAS global health assessment, physician’s and patient’s assessments of treatment efficacy, and the need for NSAIDs.

Results and discussion. After 1 month of therapy, a statistically significant positive change was observed in all evaluated parameters (p<0.05), except for stiffness on the WOMAC scale. However, by month 3 a substantial reduction in stiffness was recorded, while all other parameters continued to improve. By V-3, a good treatment response (≥50% pain reduction from baseline) was achieved in 60% of patients, and pain intensity ≤40 mm on VAS in the affected joint was documented in 88%. A reduced need for NSAIDs was noted: the total number of cases of dose reduction or NSAID discontinuation reached 40% by V-2 and 48% by V-3.

Conclusion. The study results indicate a rapid and pronounced clinical effect of Revocca in patients with various OA phenotypes.

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