Effectiveness of leech therapy in women with symptomatic arthrosis of the first carpometacarpal joint: a randomized controlled trial
RCT published in Pain (2008)
Abstract
Leech therapy has been shown to be effective for symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of leech therapy in another type of osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint (thumb saddle joint). Thirty-two women with symptomatic painful osteoarthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint and who scored>40 mm on a 100mm VAS pain scale were randomized to a single treatment with 2-3 locally applied leeches (leech group) or a 30-day course with topical diclofenac twice a day. Primary outcome measure was change of overall pain (mean of VAS for pain at rest, in motion, during grip) from baseline to day 7. Secondary outcomes were functional disability (DASH-questionnaire), quality of life (QoL, SF-36) and grip strength. Patients were examined baseline and at days 7, 30 and 60 after treatment. Overall pain score at day 7 was reduced from 59.6+/-13.8 to 27.1+/-20.6 in the leech group (n=16) and from 50.6+/-13.3 to 46.9+/-18.5 with diclofenac (n=16) (group difference -26.5, 95%CI -40.3; -12.7; p=0.0003). Group differences for pain relief favoring the leech treatment increased at days 30 and 60. Significant treatment effects were also observed for the DASH score, QoL and grip. Results were not affected by outcome expectation or consumption of analgetics. A single course of leech therapy is effective in relieving pain, improving disability and QoL for at least 2 months. The potential of leech therapy for treatment of arthritic pain and underlying mechanisms should be further investigated.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
RCT in 32 women with symptomatic first carpometacarpal joint arthrosis comparing single leech application versus 30-day topical diclofenac: leech therapy demonstrated significant superiority for pain, DASH score, quality of life, and grip strength over 2 months.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este ensayo controlado aleatorizado (ECA) incluyó a 32 mujeres con osteoartritis sintomática de la primera articulación carpometacarpiana, comparando un tratamiento único con 2-3 sanguijuelas aplicadas localmente con un ciclo de 30 días de diclofenaco tópico. El grupo de sanguijuelas mostró una reducción del dolor significativamente mayor en el día 7, con diferencias entre los grupos que aumentaron en los días 30 y 60, y también se observaron efectos significativos del tratamiento sobre la discapacidad, la calidad de vida y la fuerza de prensión. Este ECA amplía la base de evidencia para la terapia con sanguijuelas más allá de la osteoartritis de rodilla hacia la artrosis de la primera articulación carpometacarpiana, demostrando beneficios que se mantienen durante al menos dos meses a partir de una sola sesión. Sin embargo, el tamaño muestral es pequeño, con 32 participantes, todas mujeres, y el estudio examina únicamente desenlaces a corto e intermedio plazo; los mecanismos subyacentes y la durabilidad a largo plazo requieren mayor investigación, como reconocen los propios autores.
Citación
Effectiveness of leech therapy in women with symptomatic arthrosis of the first carpometacarpal joint: a randomized controlled trial.
Michalsen A, Lüdtke R, Cesur Ö et al. · Pain, 2008
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 26, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026