Efficacy and safety of TRPV1-related preparations in the treatment of inflammatory arthralgia

BACKGROUND: Currently, medications for the treatment of inflammatory arthralgia are limited. The role and safety of transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1)-related preparations in reducing inflammatory arthralgia have not yet been fully established. Thus, we aimed to review the efficacy and safety of TRPV1-related preparations for the treatment of inflammatory arthralgia. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Embase databases for relevant studies, and the primary outcome was pain score (VAS, PI, NRS, and WOMAC). RESULTS: Six randomized controlled trials involving 481 patients were analyzed. Patients with inflammatory arthralgia who received TRPV1-related preparations had lower pain scores after treatment than those who received placebo or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (standardized mean difference = –0.525; 95% confidence interval [CI], –0.789 to –0.261; P < .001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of total adverse reactions between the TRPV1-related preparations and control groups (relative risk = 1.225; 95% CI, 0.685 to 2.191; P = .494). CONCLUSION: TRPV1-related preparations are clinically safe and effective in the treatment of inflammatory arthralgia and are superior to placebo or nonsteroidal drugs. This may be the preferred treatment for patients with inflammatory arthralgia.