Efficacy and safety of ozonated autohemotherapy in patients with hyperuricemia and gout: A phase I pilot study

Gout is a common form of arthritis; however, there are currently no effective therapies available. Ozonated autohemotherapy (O(3)-AHT) is a controversial, but successful method of treatment for a number of diseases. The present study is the first pilot study investigating the application of O(3)-AHT in patients with hyperuricemia and gout. In total, 10 patients diagnosed with gout were recruited and subjected to O(3)-AHT. Self-reported pain visual analog scale (VAS) scores and creatinine clearance values were evaluated prior to (T0), during (after the fifth session of O(3)-AHT treatment; 1–4 weeks; T1) and following the treatment course (5–28 weeks; T2). At T1, the creatinine clearance rate of the patients significantly increased from 105.14±35.33 (T0) to 121.45±44.52 ml/min (t=2.165, P=0.062), while the pain VAS score decreased from 5.35±2.78 (T0) to 3.30±2.21 (t=2.004, P=0.076). However, at T2, the creatinine clearance rate decreased slightly to 111.15±36.52 ml/min, and no statistically significant difference was observed from the value at T0 (t=1.723, P=0.123). The pain VAS score further decreased to 2.30±2.66 (t=2.628, P=0.027). In conclusion, O(3)-AHT decreased the creatinine clearance rate and the pain VAS scores of patients with hyperuricemia and gout; thus, may be a potential effective therapeutic approach.