The efficacy of curcumin in relieving osteoarthritis: A meta-analysis of meta-analyses.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Meta-analysis of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 38576215 · doi:10.1002/ptr.8153
What was done
Authors conducted an umbrella meta-analysis of English-language meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating curcumin supplementation for knee osteoarthritis up to September 2023 across PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. Outcomes evaluated were the visual analog scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) pain, stiffness, function, and total scores, pooled using a random-effects model.
What was found
Across 11 included meta-analyses, curcumin supplementation significantly decreased: - VAS score (WMD and SMD, both p ≤ 0.001) - WOMAC-total score (SMD p ≤ 0.001, WMD p = 0.007) - WOMAC-Function score (SMD p ≤ 0.001, WMD p = 0.002) - WOMAC-Pain score (SMD p ≤ 0.001) - WOMAC-Stiffness score (SMD p ≤ 0.001) Exact point estimates, confidence intervals, and heterogeneity values were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This umbrella review synthesizes conflicting previous meta-analytic evidence, showing consistent statistical support for curcumin in reducing pain and improving physical function in knee osteoarthritis.
Limits
The abstract omits numeric effect sizes, confidence intervals, total participant counts, and heterogeneity statistics. As an umbrella review, there is likely substantial overlap of primary RCTs across the 11 included meta-analyses. Specific curcumin formulations, bioavailability enhancers, dosages, treatment durations, and safety outcomes were not reported in the abstract.
Cited by
- supports Studies show that turmeric/curcumin can reduce pain in patients with osteoarthritis.