Evaluation of tramadol/paracetamol 75 mg/650 mg combination therapy for early-stage knee osteoarthritis: a retrospective observational study

Objective. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a progressive joint disorder that significantly impairs patients’ quality of life. Effective long-term management of KOA remains challenging due to limited pharmacological options and associated adverse effects. This monocentric, retrospective observational s...

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Main Authors: Alessandro Conforti, Cosimo Ruggiero, Nastasja Palombi, Filippo Messina, Marco Bonifacio, Linda Lucchetti, Marco Ruggiero, Giuseppe La Cava, Roberto Piazza, Mario Mangrella
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: PAGEPress Publications 2025-07-01
Series:Reumatismo
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Online Access:https://www.reumatismo.org/reuma/article/view/1872
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author Alessandro Conforti
Cosimo Ruggiero
Nastasja Palombi
Filippo Messina
Marco Bonifacio
Linda Lucchetti
Marco Ruggiero
Giuseppe La Cava
Roberto Piazza
Mario Mangrella
author_facet Alessandro Conforti
Cosimo Ruggiero
Nastasja Palombi
Filippo Messina
Marco Bonifacio
Linda Lucchetti
Marco Ruggiero
Giuseppe La Cava
Roberto Piazza
Mario Mangrella
author_sort Alessandro Conforti
collection DOAJ
description Objective. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a progressive joint disorder that significantly impairs patients’ quality of life. Effective long-term management of KOA remains challenging due to limited pharmacological options and associated adverse effects. This monocentric, retrospective observational study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose tramadol/paracetamol combination (75/650 mg) in alleviating pain in patients with grade I-II KOA according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification. Methods. A total of 30 patients treated for 15 days were assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale for pain, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index for functional impairment, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index for sleep quality. Results. Results showed a 30% and 50% pain reduction in 86% and 43% of patients, respectively, alongside significant improvements in functional mobility and sleep quality. Adverse events, including nausea, itching, and sleepiness, occurred in 10% of patients and did not necessitate treatment discontinuation. Efficacy was consistent across demographic and clinical subgroups, possibly suggesting broad treatment applicability. Conclusions. While the findings could support tramadol/paracetamol as a safe and effective first-line therapy for KOA, reinforcing its role in optimizing KOA management strategies, limitations such as the small sample size and lack of a control group highlight the need for further research.
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spelling doaj-art-f3de47dd548b46f0b9cc9c97a7bf730e2025-08-20T03:56:12ZengPAGEPress PublicationsReumatismo0048-74492240-26832025-07-0110.4081/reumatismo.2025.1872Evaluation of tramadol/paracetamol 75 mg/650 mg combination therapy for early-stage knee osteoarthritis: a retrospective observational studyAlessandro Conforti0Cosimo Ruggiero1Nastasja Palombi2Filippo Messina3Marco Bonifacio4Linda Lucchetti5Marco Ruggiero6Giuseppe La Cava7Roberto Piazza8Mario Mangrella9Local Health Rheumatology Unit, San Paolo Hospital, ASL Roma 4, RomePediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Policlinico Umberto I, RomeMedical Affairs Department, Italfarmaco SpA, MilanRadiology Unit, ASL Roma 4, RomeCivitavecchia, RomeHospital Pharmacy Unit, ASL Roma 4, RomeIOR – Complex Structure of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Rizzoli-Argenta, BolognaDivision of Orthopedic Surgery, San Paolo Hospital, CivitavecchiaMedical Affairs Department, Italfarmaco SpA, MilanMedical Affairs Department, Italfarmaco SpA, Milan Objective. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a progressive joint disorder that significantly impairs patients’ quality of life. Effective long-term management of KOA remains challenging due to limited pharmacological options and associated adverse effects. This monocentric, retrospective observational study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose tramadol/paracetamol combination (75/650 mg) in alleviating pain in patients with grade I-II KOA according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification. Methods. A total of 30 patients treated for 15 days were assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale for pain, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index for functional impairment, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index for sleep quality. Results. Results showed a 30% and 50% pain reduction in 86% and 43% of patients, respectively, alongside significant improvements in functional mobility and sleep quality. Adverse events, including nausea, itching, and sleepiness, occurred in 10% of patients and did not necessitate treatment discontinuation. Efficacy was consistent across demographic and clinical subgroups, possibly suggesting broad treatment applicability. Conclusions. While the findings could support tramadol/paracetamol as a safe and effective first-line therapy for KOA, reinforcing its role in optimizing KOA management strategies, limitations such as the small sample size and lack of a control group highlight the need for further research. https://www.reumatismo.org/reuma/article/view/1872Knee osteoarthritistramadol/paracetamolnumerical rating scaleWOMAC Osteoarthritis IndexPittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
spellingShingle Alessandro Conforti
Cosimo Ruggiero
Nastasja Palombi
Filippo Messina
Marco Bonifacio
Linda Lucchetti
Marco Ruggiero
Giuseppe La Cava
Roberto Piazza
Mario Mangrella
Evaluation of tramadol/paracetamol 75 mg/650 mg combination therapy for early-stage knee osteoarthritis: a retrospective observational study
Reumatismo
Knee osteoarthritis
tramadol/paracetamol
numerical rating scale
WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
title Evaluation of tramadol/paracetamol 75 mg/650 mg combination therapy for early-stage knee osteoarthritis: a retrospective observational study
title_full Evaluation of tramadol/paracetamol 75 mg/650 mg combination therapy for early-stage knee osteoarthritis: a retrospective observational study
title_fullStr Evaluation of tramadol/paracetamol 75 mg/650 mg combination therapy for early-stage knee osteoarthritis: a retrospective observational study
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of tramadol/paracetamol 75 mg/650 mg combination therapy for early-stage knee osteoarthritis: a retrospective observational study
title_short Evaluation of tramadol/paracetamol 75 mg/650 mg combination therapy for early-stage knee osteoarthritis: a retrospective observational study
title_sort evaluation of tramadol paracetamol 75 mg 650 mg combination therapy for early stage knee osteoarthritis a retrospective observational study
topic Knee osteoarthritis
tramadol/paracetamol
numerical rating scale
WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
url https://www.reumatismo.org/reuma/article/view/1872
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