The effects of doxycycline on reducing symptoms in knee osteoarthritis: Results from a triple-blinded randomised controlled trial
Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, 05/23/2011
Clinical Article
Snijders GF et al. – Doxycycline is not effective in reducing symptoms in knee osteoarthritis patients over a 24-week study period, but is associated with an increased risk of adverse events. Although a possible structure-modifying effect of doxycycline was previously suggested, this is not accompanied by symptom relief in the short and medium term.
Methods- A 24-week, randomised, triple-blind, placebo controlled trial
- Assessed symptomatic effectiveness of doxycycline twice a day 100 mg in knee OA patients according to clinical and radiological American College of Rheumatology classification criteria
- Primary endpoint was difference in proportion of participants in both study groups achieving clinical response defined by OMERACT–OARSI set of responder criteria
- Secondary endpoints included pain, stiffness, daily functioning, patient global assessment,QOL, OA-related medication and SE
- 232 patients
- Randomly assigned
- At study end, 31% of participants met primary endpoint in both groups
- Except for more AE in doxycycline group, no differences on secondary endpoints



