Rheumatoid Arthritis – Is There a Role for Apitherapy? Analysis of Books Written by Apitherapists Shows that Most Recommendations are Not Evidence-Based

Year 2022, , 103 - 118, 31.12.2022

Karsten Münstedt

https://doi.org/10.35206/jan.1045529

Abstract

Apitherapy is a therapeutic approach based on the use of beehive products. It is frequently suggested for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. This study was to assess the recommendations of apitherapists regarding the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. 129 books written by apitherapists were reviewed regarding their recommendations for rheumatoid arthritis. These recommendations were compared to the findings of preclinical and clinical studies on the subject. Sixty-eight (52.7%) of the books mention the topic of rheumatoid arthritis and there were 44 different recommendations. They include all bee products (honey, pollen, propolis, etc.) but mainly bee venom (15 times) and royal jelly (5 times). Bee venom acupuncture (apipuncture) is mentioned only once. Compared to analyses from the scientific literature, only bee venom but mainly apipuncture are supported. This analysis shows that the majority of apitherapeutic books do not provide adequate information. However, some reports supported the scientific evidence that bee venom and apipuncture could be an interesting means of treatment of rheumatoid arthritis but more and higher quality clinical investigations are necessary.

Keywords

rheumatoid arthritis, apitherapy, bee venom, propolis, honey, Romatoid artrit

Supporting Institution

none

Project Number

-

Thanks

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Romatoid Artrit – Apiterapinin Rolü Var mı? Apiterapistler Tarafından Yazılmış Kitapların Analizi, Önerilerin Çoğunun Kanıta Dayalı Olmadığını Gösteriyor

Abstract

Apiterapi, arı kovanı ürünlerinin kullanımına dayalı bir tedavi yaklaşımıdır. Romatoid artrit tedavisi için sıklıkla önerilmektedir. Bu çalışma, apiterapistlerin romatoid artrit tedavisine ilişkin önerilerini değerlendirmek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Apiterapistler tarafından yazılan 129 kitap, romatoid artrit önerileri açısından gözden geçirilmiştir. Bu öneriler, konuyla ilgili klinik öncesi ve klinik çalışmaların bulgularıyla karşılaştırılmıştır. Kitapların 68'i (%52.7) romatoid artrit konusuna değinmektedir ve 44 farklı öneri bulunmaktadır. Bu öneriler tüm arı ürünlerini (bal, polen, propolis vb.) içermekle birlikte başlıca arı zehiri (15 kez) ve arı sütüne (5 kez) değinilmiştir. Arı zehri akupunkturundan (apipunktur) sadece bir kez bahsedilmiştir. Bilimsel literatürdeki analizlerle karşılaştırıldığında, sadece arı zehri ancak ağırlıklı olarak apipunktur desteklenmektedir. Bu analiz, apiterapötik kitapların çoğunun yeterli bilgi sağlamadığını göstermektedir. Bazı araştırmalar arı zehri ve apipunkturun romatoid artrit tedavisine yönelik farklı bir tedavi yaklaşımı olabileceğine yönelik bilimsel kanıtları desteklemekte olup bununla birlikte bu konuda daha fazla ve daha kaliteli klinik araştırmalara ihiyaç vardır.

Keywords

apiterapi, arı zehri, bal, propolis, Romatoid artrit

Project Number

-

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