Safety and efficacy of Irsal-i-Alaq (Leeching) in Waja-al- Rukba (Knee steoarthritis)

Evaluation of efficacy and safety of Irsal-i-Alaq (Leeching) in the management of Waja-al- Rukba (Knee Osteoarthritis

Status

Recruiting

Phases

Phase 2

Study type

Interventional

Source

CTRI

Registry ID

CTRI/2017/04/008382

Enrollment

Registered

2017-04-20

Start date

Unknown

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2021-11-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Health Condition 1: null- Osteoarthritis of Knee Joint

Interventions

Intervention1: Leech Therapy: Single sitting with 3 (three) leeches on each affected joint at baseline and to be assessed on 7th, 14th and 28th day. Control Intervention1: Leech therapy: Two sitting

Eligibility

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Patients of Knee OA in age groups of 35 years to 65 years. Subjective pain intensity of 20 mm or more at baseline on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Clinically stable patients. Patients of both sexes. Patients willing to sign the informed consent form and participate in the trial voluntarily.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Diabetes mellitus Type 1 and uncontrolled Type 2. Active hepatic disease, abnormal liver function. (Alanine transaminase, Aspartate transaminase or Total bilirubin level more than twice normal values), or renal dysfunction (blood creatinine over the upper limit of normal). Current anticoagulant therapy or bleeding disorders or Severe Anaemia. Pregnant and lactating mothers. ESR > 40 mm/hr. Terminally ill patients. Patients below 35 years and above 65 years of age. Patients who fail to give consent. Subjects who had received leeching to the knee region 1 months prior to the study.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). WOMAC Index (Modified â?? CRD Pune Version) / KOOS Active range of motion using Goniometer. Rescue medication use X ray Knee AP & Lateral views (Kellgren -Lawrence Grading Scale). Urinary Pyridinoline (Pyd) Timepoint: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)at Day Zero and 28th day WOMAC Index (Modified â?? CRD Pune Version) / KOOS at Day Zero and 28th day Active range of motion using Goniometer at day Zero and 28th day Rescue medication use from Day zero upto 28th day X ray Knee AP & Lateral views (Kellgren -Lawrence Grading Scale)at day zero and 28th day Urinary Pyridinoline (Pyd) at day zero and 28th day	—

Measure

Time frame

Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). WOMAC Index (Modified â?? CRD Pune Version) / KOOS Active range of motion using Goniometer. Rescue medication use X ray Knee AP & Lateral views (Kellgren -Lawrence Grading Scale). Urinary Pyridinoline (Pyd) Timepoint: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)at Day Zero and 28th day WOMAC Index (Modified â?? CRD Pune Version) / KOOS at Day Zero and 28th day Active range of motion using Goniometer at day Zero and 28th day Rescue medication use from Day zero upto 28th day X ray Knee AP & Lateral views (Kellgren -Lawrence Grading Scale)at day zero and 28th day Urinary Pyridinoline (Pyd) at day zero and 28th day

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
I. To evaluate the effect of Irsal-i-Alaq (Leeching) on the progression of disease process in Waja-al-Rukba (knee OA) patients.Timepoint: Base line and 28th day	—

Countries

India

Contacts

Public ContactDr Amjad W Yousuf

Jamia Hamdard

drmasjh@rediffmail.com9891273627

Outcome results

None listed

Source: CTRI (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026