Short-term pain reduction after low-dose radiotherapy in patients with severe osteoarthritis of the hip or knee joint: a cohort study and literature review

Effects of low dose rate radiotherapy on pain relief, performance score, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis; a double-blind sham-controlled randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent chronic condition characterized by progressive damage to the articular cartilage, resulting in chronic pain, swelling, and reduced range of motion with a range of prevalence of 10-40%. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of low-dose radiation as a local treatment option for knee OA symptoms.

METHODS

In this prospective study, patients with confirmed OA and older than 65 years were randomly assigned to treatment and control groups. The protocol plan IRCT20160706028815N6 was registered in Iranian registry of clinical trials system. The treatment group received 3 Gy radiation over six fractions, while the control group continued routine treatment without radiation. The pain intensity and functional levels were assessed at pretreatment and each month following completion of therapy for six consecutive months by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Lysholm 100-point Scale, respectively. Analgesic medication usage and performance status (PS) were also assessed.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 77 years (range 72-89). All variables including VAS pain score, Lysholm scale, PS and analgesic consumption were improved following radiation from first month to the end of assessments (p value <0.01).

CONCLUSION

Results showed significant pain score improvements and enhanced joint function with no adverse effects. Findings were compared with previous studies, revealing mixed conclusions on low dose radiation therapy (LDRT) efficacy. Mechanistic hypotheses suggest LDRT may modulate inflammatory pathways. The study suggests LDRT at 3 Gy could benefit knee osteoarthritis patients and calls for further research on mechanisms of action in early-stage osteoarthritis.

Low-dose Radiation Therapy (LDRT) in Managing Osteoarthritis: A Comprehensive Review

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative arthropathy, impacting the quality of life for millions worldwide. It typically presents with chronic pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in the affected joints. Nonsurgical treatments like physiotherapy or pharmacotherapy may provide limited relief and may have adverse effects and complications. Recently, low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) has emerged as a potential alternative for managing OA, utilizing its anti-inflammatory effects. LDRT's anti-inflammatory effects involve modulating immune responses, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and inducing apoptosis in inflammatory cells. Clinical studies show varying degrees of symptom relief, with some patients experiencing pain reduction and improved joint mobility while others show minimal response. The variability in LDRT treatment designs, radiation dosages, and patient populations complicates standardized treatment protocols and raises concerns about potential carcinogenic risks. Despite these issues, LDRT shows promise as an alternative to other OA treatments, especially for patients who don't respond to other treatments. This review aims to provide updated information on the effectiveness, mechanisms, and safety of LDRT in treating OA. We reviewed the literature of studies on the safety and efficacy of LDRT on affected joints by OA, its biological effects, potential therapeutic and adverse effects, application and contraindications, clinical outcomes, and clinical evidence in subjects with OA.

ArthroRad trial: randomized multicenter single-blinded trial on the effect of low-dose radiotherapy for painful osteoarthritis-final results after 12-month follow-up

OBJECTIVE

Updated report about the randomized comparison of the effect of radiotherapy on painful osteoarthritis (OA) applying a standard dose vs. a very low dose regime after a follow-up of 1 year.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients presenting with OA of the hand/finger and knee joints were included. After randomization (every joint region was randomized separately) the following protocols were applied: (a) standard arm: total dose 3.0 Gy, single fractions of 0.5 Gy twice a week; (b) experimental arm: total dose 0.3 Gy, single fractions of 0.05 Gy twice a week. The dosage was blinded for the patients. For evaluation the scores after 1‑year visual analog scale (VAS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Short Form (KOOS-PS), Short Form Score for the Assessment and Quantification of Chronic Rheumatic Affections of the Hands (SF-SACRAH) and 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) were used (for further details: see [1]).

RESULTS

The standard dose was applied to 77 hands and 33 knees, the experimental dose was given to 81 hands and 30 knees. After 12 months, the data of 128 hands and 45 knees were available for evaluation. Even after this long time, we observed a favorable response of pain to radiotherapy in both trial arms; however, there were no reasonable statistically significant differences between both arms concerning pain, functional, and quality of life scores. Side effects did not occur. The only prognostic factor was the pain level before radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a favorable pain relief and a limited response in the functional and quality of life scores in both treatment arms. The possible effect of low doses such as 0.3 Gy on pain is widely unknown.

Intra-articular Treatment of Digital Osteoarthritis by Radiosynoviorthesis-Clinical Outcome in Long-term Follow-up

PURPOSE

This retrospective study analyzed the long-term effects of radiosynoviorthesis (RSO) with special emphasis to local joint pain in patients from 4 different RSO centers in Germany and Austria.

METHODS

A total of 168 finger joints in 147 patients with digital joint OA were investigated. The indication for RSO was based on both clinical complaints and a proven synovitis, despite anti-inflammatory pharmacotherapy and previous intra-articular corticosteroid injections. Radiosynoviorthesis was performed according to international guidelines. A numeric visual analog scale (VAS) before and after treatment was used to measure the outcome. Follow-up was done for at least 2 years after treatment, in some patients even over 10 years.

RESULTS

Radiosynoviorthesis resulted in a significant reduction of VAS values in most of the patients, lasting for the whole period of follow-up. Two-thirds of the treated joints showed clinically relevant improvement, if a reduction of 30% in VAS values was defined as a reasonable cutoff. The best results were achieved in thumb base joints.

CONCLUSIONS

This article confirms that RSO is a suitable treatment option for digital joint OA with a proven synovitis. The analgesic effect is long-lasting and comparable to the success of RSO in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The Role of Ionizing Radiation for Diagnosis and Treatment against COVID-19: Evidence and Considerations

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to spread worldwide with over 260 million people infected and more than 5 million deaths, numbers that are escalating on a daily basis. Frontline health workers and scientists diligently fight to alleviate life-threatening symptoms and control the spread of the disease. There is an urgent need for better triage of patients, especially in third world countries, in order to decrease the pressure induced on healthcare facilities. In the struggle to treat life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia, scientists have debated the clinical use of ionizing radiation (IR). The historical literature dating back to the 1940s contains many reports of successful treatment of pneumonia with IR. In this work, we critically review the literature for the use of IR for both diagnostic and treatment purposes. We identify details including the computed tomography (CT) scanning considerations, the radiobiological basis of IR anti-inflammatory effects, the supportive evidence for low dose radiation therapy (LDRT), and the risks of radiation-induced cancer and cardiac disease associated with LDRT. In this paper, we address concerns regarding the effective management of COVID-19 patients and potential avenues that could provide empirical evidence for the fight against the disease.

ArthroRad trial: multicentric prospective and randomized single-blinded trial on the effect of low-dose radiotherapy for painful osteoarthritis depending on the dose-results after 3 months' follow-up

Purpose

Randomized comparison of the effect of radiotherapy on painful osteoarthritis (OA) applying a standard-dose vs. a very-low-dose regime

Patients and methods

Patients with OA of the hand and knee joints were included. Further inclusion criteria: symptoms for more than 3 months, favorable general health status, age above 40 years. Patients with prior local radiotherapy, trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, or vascular diseases were excluded. After randomization (every joint was randomized separately), the following protocols were applied: standard arm: total dose 3.0 Gy, single fractions of 0.5 Gy twice weekly; experimental arm: total dose 0.3 Gy, single fractions of 0.05 Gy twice weekly. The dosage was not known to the patients. The patients were examined 3 and 12 months after radiotherapy. Scores like VAS (visual analogue scale), KOOS-SF (the knee injugy and osteoarthritis outcome score), SF-SACRAH (short form score for the assessment and quantification of chronic rheumatic affections of the hands), and SF-12 (short form 12) were used.

Results

A total of 64 knees and 172 hands were randomized. 3.0 Gy was applied to 87 hands and 34 knees, 0.3 Gy was given to 85 hands and 30 knees. After 3 months, we observed good pain relief after 3 Gy and after 0.3 Gy, there was no statistically significant difference. Side effects were not recorded. The trial was closed prematurely due to slow recruitment.

Conclusion

We found favorable pain relief and a limited response in the functional and quality of life scores in both arms. The effect of low doses such as 0.3 Gy on pain is widely unknown. Further trials are necessary to compare a conventional dose to placebo and to further explore the effect of low doses on inflammatory disorders.

Low-dose radiation therapy for osteoarthritis and enthesopathies: a review of current data

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common degenerative joint disease, is associated with severe functional limitation and impairment of quality of life. Numerous reports have documented the clinical efficacy of low-dose radiotherapy (LD-RT) in the management of various inflammatory disorders, including OA. In this paper, we assessed the clinical literature involving the use of LD-RT in the treatment of OA, its dose-response features, possible underlying mechanistic features, and optimal therapeutic dose range.

METHODS

We carried out a systematic review based on the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statements and evaluated articles meeting the inclusion criteria for this review.

RESULTS

A total of 361 articles were identified from databases, such as Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Science Direct out of which 224 articles were duplicates and were discarded. Of the remaining 137 articles, 74 articles were un-related, 27 articles were review articles, eight were conference abstracts, three were letters, two were editorials, two were notes, and one was a book chapter. Finally, 20 articles met all the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review.

DISCUSSION

Several single-arm retrospective/prospective studies showed advantages for LD-RT in the management of OA in terms of pain relief, improvement of mobility and function, and showed minimal side effects. Mechanistic considerations involve positive subcellular effects mediated by the activation of a nuclear factor erythroid 2-related transcription factor (Nrf2) mediated antioxidant response. Further research on both the short- and long-term effects of LD-RT on OA and other inflammatory disorders is recommended.

Long-term efficacy of low-dose radiation therapy on symptoms in patients with knee and hand osteoarthritis: follow-up results of two parallel randomised, sham-controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Low-dose radiation therapy is commonly used as treatment for benign diseases, including osteoarthritis, in some countries (eg, Germany). We have previously presented our 3-month follow-up results of two randomised sham-controlled trials, in which no substantial effects of low-dose radiation therapy on clinical outcomes were seen in patients with knee and hand osteoarthritis. Here we report the 6-month and 12-month results of these studies.

METHODS

In one randomised sham-controlled trial, patients with knee osteoarthrosis were recruited, and in the other trial patients with hand osteoarthritis were recruited. All patients were recruited from the department of rheumatology of Sint Maartenskliniek (Nijmegen, The Netherlands) and the trials were undertaken in parallel. Patients were eligible if they had knee or hand osteoarthritis according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, had a pain score of 5 or more on a 0-10 scale for at least 15 of the past 30 days, and did not meet 2011 modified ACR criteria for fibromyalgia. In each study, patients were randomly assigned (1:1), stratified by pain score (<8 vs ≥8) using a computer-generated randomisation list and stratified block randomisation, to low-dose radiation therapy (six fractions of 1 Gy low-dose radiation therapy in 2 weeks) or sham (six sessions with 0 Gy of radiation therapy in 2 weeks) intervention. Patients and researchers involved in patient contact or assessments were masked to group allocation, whereas the radiotherapy technologist who did the treatment was unmasked. Patients completed questionnaires (numeric rating scale of patients' global assessment and validated measures for pain and functioning) at baseline and at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after starting treatment. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants who responded according to the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Osteoarthritis Research Society International responder criteria at 3 months, which has been reported previously. Here we report the proportion of participants who responded at 6 months and 12 months, and other clinical outcomes of pain, functioning, and patients' global assessment of their symptoms. We used logistic and linear mixed-models analyses to assess differences in number of responders and continuous outcomes. Safety was assessed in all participants who received at least one fraction of low-dose radiation or sham treatment. This study is registered with the Netherlands Trial Registry, NTR4574, and is closed to accrual.

FINDINGS

Between Oct 14, 2015, and May 3, 2017, 213 patients were screened for inclusion for the knee osteoarthritis study, of whom 55 were eligible and randomly assigned to low-dose radiation therapy (n=27) or sham intervention (n=28). In parallel, for the hand osteoarthritis study, 368 patients were screened and 56 were randomly assigned low-dose radiation (n=28) or sham intervention (n=28). Some minor imbalances in baseline demographic characteristics in terms of sex and age were seen in both the knee and hand cohorts. In the knee osteoarthritis cohort, 48 patients were assessible at 6 months and 50 were assessible at 12 months, and in the hand osteoarthritis cohort 52 patients were assessible at 6 and 12 months. We found no significant differences at 6 or 12 months in the proportion of participants who had a response for both groups. In the knee osteoarthritis group, at 6 months, the number of responders was nine (41%) of 22 patients who received low-dose radiation therapy versus nine (35%) of 26 patients who received the sham intervention (difference in proportion 7% [95% CI -20 to 33]; odds ratio [OR] 1·34 [95% CI 0·41 to 4·42]); and at 12 months, 13 (52%) of 25 patients versus 11 (44%) of 25 patients responded (difference in proportion 8% [-19 to 35]; OR 1·41 [0·45 to 4·48]). In the hand osteoarthritis group, at 6 months, the number of responders was seven (28%) of 25 patients who received low-dose radiation therapy versus 11 (31%) of 27 patients who received the sham intervention (difference in proportion 12% [-38 to 13]; OR 0·57 [0·18 to 1·81]); and at 12 months, eight (31%) of 26 patients versus seven (27%) of 26 patients responded (difference in proportion 4% [-20 to 29]; OR 1·23 [0·37 to 4·12]). We did not find any difference between groups in other clinical outcomes at 6 or 12 months. Three participants with knee osteoarthritis in the sham intervention group and two participants with hand osteoarthritis in the low-dose radiation therapy group had serious adverse effects, none of which were considered to be related to the intervention.

INTERPRETATION

We did not find evidence of a delayed effect of low-dose radiation therapy for patients with knee and hand osteoarthritis. Our placebo-controlled results suggest that the large effects of low-dose radiation therapy reported in clinical practice and observational studies can probably be explained by a regression to the mean effect and response to placebo.

FUNDING

Dutch Arthritis Foundation and Stichting Landelijk Katholiek Reumacentrum, Netherlands.