Effect of Avemar® : a fermented wheat germ extract - on rheumatoid arthritis. Preliminary data

• Published in: Clinical and experimental rheumatology Vol. 24; no. 3; pp. 325 - 328
• Main Authors: BALINT, G, APATHY, A, SHOENFELD, Y, HIDVEGI, M, GAAL, M, TELEKES, A, RESETAR, A, BLAZSO, G, FALKAY, G, SZENDE, B, PAKSY, A, EHRENFELD, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pisa Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 01.05.2006
• Subjects: Arthritis, Rheumatoid - diet therapy; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - physiopathology; Biological and medical sciences; Dietary Supplements; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Female; Health Status; Humans; Inflammatory joint diseases; Joints - drug effects; Joints - physiopathology; Medical sciences; Pilot Projects; Plant Extracts - administration & dosage; Severity of Illness Index; Surveys and Questionnaires; Triticum; Immunopathology; Chronic; Rheumatoid arthritis; fermented wheat germ extract; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Rheumatology; Avemar; Autoimmune disease; Inflammatory joint disease
• ISSN: 0392-856X; 1593-098X

To investigate the effect of the fermented wheat germ extract (Avemar)in patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Fifteen female RA (Steinbrocker II-III) patients, who had unsuccessfully tried two different DMARD treatments, were enrolled in an open-label, 1-year long, pilot clinical study. DMARD and steroid therapies were recorded and continued. All patients received Avemar as additional therapy. For measurement of efficacy the Ritchie Index, the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and the assessment of morning stiffness were applied. Patients were evaluated at baseline, 6 and 12 months. For statistical analyses the Wilcoxon test was used. At both 6 and 12 months, Ritchie index, HAQ and morning stiffness showed significant improvements compared with the baseline values. Dosages of steroids could be reduced in about half of the patients. No side effects of Avemar were observed. Supplementation of standard therapies with a continuous administration of Avemar is beneficial for RA patients.