Well controlled, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of classical Ayurvedic treatment are possible in rheumatoid arthritis

Mycobacterial diseases and antitumour necrosis factor therapy in USA

“…We collected the following information from each case for the 2000-2008 study time-period: age at diagnosis date, sex, race/ethnicity and evidence of death. We examined important clinical comorbidities at two time-points during the study time-period:1 prior to anti-TNF start and2 anytime during the study time-period, as evidenced by one or more inpatient or outpatient ICD9 code given during these time-frames for diabetes mellitus (250), chronic kidney disease (585), neoplasm (200–208, 195, 196, 162), chronic lung disease including chronic bronchitis, asthma, bronchiectasis, silicosis (491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 502), gastro-esophageal reflux disease (530.81, 530.11). Unfortunately, results of tuberculin skin testing were not reliably available for the study population.…”

“…Over two million persons in USA suffer from rheumatoid arthritis (RA),1 and in the last decade, a number of biologic, immunosuppressive therapies have been widely used to treat this and other autoimmune inflammatory diseases 2 3. These therapies include those that inhibit tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), a cytokine integral to host defense against intracellular pathogens such as mycobacteria, histoplasmosis and others 4–7.…”

A brief review of researches on rheumatoid arthritis in Ayurveda

“…Rheumatology (EULAR) Criteria of improvement for rheumatoid arthritis. [6,12,13] The list of RCTs is shown in Table 5.…”

“…[13] The study compared safety and efficacy of standard allopathic treatment and multi-modal Ayurvedic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in 45 patients. Patients were assigned to three arms that received allopathic treatment, Ayurvedic treatment or a combination of both.…”

Ayurveda and postcolonial studies: A brief comment

“…Particularly notable in the study was the development of a series of appropriate placebos for Ayurvedic treatments, which succeeded in maintaining the blinding of the study. [2] Furthermore, this study was recognized as a 'blueprint' for clinical studies of complex traditional medical modalities providing individualized treatment and using numerous pharmacological forms. [3] However, I would like to suggest that it has an importance beyond its clinical implications.…”