Exploring the impact of curcumin on osteoarthritis symptomatology: correlations and insights from a Bulgarian cohort

Abstract

Introduction: Osteoarthritis is a prevalent degenerative joint disorder associated with pain and functional impairment. Curcumin, a natural anti-inflammatory compound, has garnered attention for its potential therapeutic benefits in osteoarthritis management. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the correlations between curcumin use, patient characteristics, medication use, and changes in health outcomes among osteoarthritis patients. The primary hypothesis was that curcumin use would correlate with positive changes in health metrics. Materials and methods: A cohort of 60 osteoarthritis patients was enrolled in this observational study and divided into 4 groups according to the type of osteoarthritis. Patient selection criteria included a diagnosis of osteoarthritis and consent for curcumin supplementation. The primary outcome variable was changes in health metrics measured across three visits. Body mass index, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and paracetamol use were also recorded. Correlation analysis and paired t-tests were employed to examine the relationships between variables and changes in health metrics. Results: Correlation analyses revealed a weak negative correlation between BMI and changes between ‘Visit 1’ and ‘Visit 2’ (r=−0.09). NSAIDs use exhibited a weak positive correlation with changes during this period (r=0.17), while paracetamol use displayed weak correlations (r=−0.05) with changes. Statistically significant changes were observed between ‘Visit 1’ and ‘Visit 2’ (mean change =−5.93, p<0.05), aligning with prior studies indicating curcumin’s potential in osteoarthritis symptom relief. Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights into the intricate relationships that exist between the use of curcumin, patient characteristics, medication use, and changes in health metrics in patients with osteoarthritis. Despite many limitations, including sample size and research duration, our correlation analysis indicates that curcumin may have a positive impact on the symptomatology of osteoarthritis. The findings highlight the need for more studies, larger trials, and mechanistic analyses to completely understand the potential therapeutic role of curcumin in osteoarthritis management.