Joints Under Eribulin (JUST)
Status
Completed
Intro
Joint pain caused by aromatase inhibitors is a concern, and emu oil might offer relief based on initial research.
ADJUVANT ENDOCRINE THERAPY & JOINT PAIN
Endocrine therapy is a standard treatment for hormone-responsive early breast cancer. In postmenopausal patients, studies show that using an aromatase inhibitor upfront for 5 years, or switching to it after 5 years of tamoxifen, or switching early after 2 to 3 years of tamoxifen, reduces the risk of cancer recurrence. However, aromatase inhibitors have different side effects like bone loss, high cholesterol, and joint pain.
AROMATASE INHIBITOR SIDE EFFECTS
Joint pain and stiffness occur in 5.4% to 35.6% of patients using aromatase inhibitors. Some patients even stop the treatment due to severe joint pain. The causes and treatments for this joint discomfort are not well understood, and alternatives to standard pain medications are needed.
EMU OIL POSSIBILITY
Emu oil, historically used for skin and muscle issues, was studied for joint pain relief. A trial with people having hand osteoarthritis showed reduced pain after emu oil use. Animal studies suggest anti-inflammatory properties of emu oil. A pilot study with 13 postmenopausal women on aromatase inhibitors showed applying emu oil to affected joints for 8 weeks reduced pain and stiffness without adverse effects.
Objective
The aim of this study is to show a reduction in joint pain, evaluated using a visual analog score, after 8 weeks of treatment compared to the starting point.
Methods
The study included patients who were postmenopausal and had felt joint pain after starting a medication called an aromatase inhibitor. Patients who had experienced joint pain for at least 3 months while taking the aromatase inhibitor were divided into two groups. One group received emu oil, and the other group received a placebo oil (which doesn’t have any active ingredients). The main goal of the study was to see if the pain would decrease after 8 weeks of treatment, and this was measured using a visual scale where the participants rated their pain.
Conclusions
The study found that joint pain caused by using aromatase inhibitors might be improved by applying a type of oil directly to the painful joint and massaging it. More studies are necessary to explore solutions for this common side effect.
