Arthritis ‘treatment’ rejected

Press, 2 June 1981, Page 1

Arthritis ‘treatment’ rejected

NZPA Wellington The controversial arthritis treatment, Seatone, is no more than a health food, says an editorial in the latest “New Zealand Medical Journal.”

It says the evidence that the green-lipped mussel extract has any efficiency in treating rheumatoid arthritis does not carry much conviction.

There had been no definite evidence in favour of Seatone in experiments and clinical use since it was introduced in 1975.

“So far nothing in this respect has appeared that would elevate this mussel extract above the status of a health remedy or food with an undoubtedly powerful placebo effect.” At a trial at St Batholomew’s Hospital, London, 30 patients were given Seatone and a dried fish placebo for four weeks each.

There were no significant differences in results between Seatone and the placet#. Ten patients preferred Seatone, nine the dried fish, and the others had no preference. •

In another trial last year 28 patients were given the mussel extract and a fish placebo. After three months 10 of 17 patients on Seatone and three of 11 patients receiving the placebo improved.