Role of Alphacalcidol Supplement to Reduce Pain and COMP in Geriatric Knee Osteoarthritis Patients

The subjects in the intervention group were given 1 µg oral capsule alphacalcidol once daily Subjects in the control group were given placebo once daily with similar capsule shape and color to the capsule given to the intervention group. The process of alphacalcidol and placebo encapsulation were carried out by pharmacists in the pharmacy depot under the supervision of researchers and CRO Equilab. Alphacalcidol and placebo were put into plastic pots containing 30 capsules for every 4 weeks for each subject. The pot had an etiquette written explaining how to consume the drug (after breakfast between 7 - 10 a.m.). The drugs' packaging and code numbering were carried out by CRO Equilab to ensure a double-blind procedure. As a control, each subject was equipped with a monitoring card. Alphacalcidol and placebo were given for 12 weeks without interruption. Monitoring of compliance and side effects was performed by physicians every 2 weeks.

The subjects in the control group were given placebo containing simple sugar oral capsule once daily with similar capsule shape and color to the capsule given to the intervention group. The process of alphacalcidol and placebo encapsulation were carried out by pharmacists in the pharmacy depot under the supervision of researchers and CRO Equilab. Alphacalcidol and placebo were put into plastic pots containing 30 capsules for every 4 weeks for each subject. The pot had an etiquette written explaining how to consume the drug (after breakfast between 7 - 10 a.m.). The drugs' packaging and code numbering were carried out by CRO Equilab to ensure a double-blind procedure. As a control, each subject was equipped with a monitoring card. Alphacalcidol and placebo were given for 12 weeks without interruption. Monitoring of compliance and side effects was performed by physicians every 2 weeks.