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Strawberries improve pain symptoms in obese participants with radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis
Author(s) -
Schell Jace,
Christiansen Danielle,
Barrett James,
Lohrman Elizabeth,
Betts Nancy,
Zhao Yan D,
James Judith,
Scofield Hal,
Basu Arpita
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.646.41
Subject(s) - medicine , osteoarthritis , placebo , visual analogue scale , crossover study , randomized controlled trial , body mass index , quality of life (healthcare) , knee pain , physical therapy , alternative medicine , nursing , pathology
Osteoarthritis (OA), a common form of arthritis is mainly characterized by inflammation, joint pain and cartilage degeneration but without any effective pharmacological cure. Obese are at risk of OA. We have previously reported the effects of dietary berries in improving cardio‐metabolic outcomes in obese adults. To our knowledge no previous reports have examined the effects of berries on OA. Thus, in the present study we examined the hypothesis that strawberries will improve metabolic profiles and symptoms of pain in obese participants with radiographic evidence of knee OA. In a randomized placebo‐controlled crossover trial obese participants [n=17 (Females 13, Males: 4); age: 56±7y; BMI: 39±6 (mean±SD)] were randomized to one of the two groups: strawberry (50g freeze‐dried) or placebo, each for 12 weeks. Blood draws, anthropometric measurements and surveys for pain scores [visual analog scale of pain (VAS) and Measure of Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain (ICOAP)] and quality of life indices [Health assessment questionnaire disability index (HAQ‐DI)] were administered at screen, 12, 14 (washout) and 26 weeks of the study. We found significant decreases in pain scores (VAS) in the strawberry vs. placebo group at 12 weeks (0.71±0.31 and 0.90±0.47, respectively, p<0.05). While no differences were noted in biochemical profiles, especially, glucose, HbA1c, total‐ and LDL cholesterol and C‐reactive protein, HDL‐cholesterol was significantly lower in the strawberry vs. placebo group at 12 weeks (50±16 and 55±6.5mg/dL, respectively, p<0.05). Thus, strawberry bioactive compounds may help alleviate pain symptoms in knee OA. These findings deserve further investigation in larger trials. Support or Funding Information California Strawberry Commission, NIH grant U54GM104938 (OSCTR)