Leeches on the comeback trail
2001-09-17 15:33
Paris - The ancient practice of using leeches to ease pain and
inflammation can help people suffering from osteoarthritis of the
knee, according to a study published on Monday.
Doctors at Essen-Mitte Clinic in western Germany used the
blood-sucking little parasites on 10 patients, whose average age
was 68, and who were suffering from chronic knee pain.
Four leeches were attached to the painful knee and left in place
for 80 minutes.
Within a day, patients started to report a quick drop in pain,
and the effects were sustained a month later. There were no side
effects or infections, although some found the initial leech bite a
little painful.
Leech therapy fell out of popularity in western medicine a
century or so ago, but researchers believe the creatures may be
beneficial, and suggest larger studies be carried out to see
whether this is true.
They speculate that the secret lies with the leech saliva, which
contains a variety of anti-inflammatory and painkilling compounds.
The study, led by Gustav Dobos, is published in Annals of the
Rheumatic Diseases, a specialist journal of the British Medical
Association (BMA). - AFP
- SAPA