Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40888940›Full record

SynthesisRheumatology international2025

Efficacy, safety, and pain management of low-dose radiation therapy in osteoarthritis: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Bara M Hammadeh, Abdullah Yousef Aldalati, Alzahra'a Al Matairi, Mohamed Nasser Elshabrawi, Fares A Qtaishat, Ahmad M Al-Qunbar, Abdulla Alzibdeh, Yazan Abuodeh, Fawzi Abuhijla

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Rheumatology international, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Bara M HammadehFaculty of Medicine, Balqa' Applied University, Salt, Jordan. barahammadeh2005@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0002-1025-1068
Abdullah Yousef AldalatiFaculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-2260-0326
Alzahra'a Al MatairiFaculty of Medicine, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0001-8909-233X
Mohamed Nasser ElshabrawiDepartment of Medicine, Port Said University, Port Said, Egypt.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0004-2490-7210
Fares A QtaishatFaculty of Medicine, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-6017-2861
Ahmad M Al-QunbarFaculty of Medicine, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0007-0684-2769
Abdulla AlzibdehRadiation Oncology Department, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4962-8398
Yazan AbuodehRadiation Oncology Department, Tammy Walker Cancer Center, Salina, KS, USA.
Fawzi AbuhijlaRadiation Oncology Department, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis and a major cause of disability worldwide. Conventional treatments often provide limited relief and carry long-term risks, highlighting the need for safer, non-pharmacologic alternatives. Low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) has emerged as a potential option due to its anti-inflammatory effects and favorable safety profile.

objectivesTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of LDRT in managing OA-related pain and functional limitations, and to guide future research on its role in non-pharmacologic OA management.

methodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024599334). A comprehensive search of five databases was conducted through June 2025 to identify studies evaluating LDRT for osteoarthritis. Eligible studies included human participants with clinically diagnosed OA, assessing LDRT efficacy or safety. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane ROB 2 tool. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed using R software, with heterogeneity evaluated by I² and tau² statistics.

resultsTwelve studies involving 1,750 participants were included, with six eligible for meta-analysis. LDRT showed no significant benefit over sham treatment in reducing pain (SMD: -0.92; P = 0.13) or improving function (SMD: 0.22; P = 0.22). While most adverse events were similar between groups, nail reactions were significantly more common with LDRT (RR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.13-4.45). Overall, adverse events were more frequent in the LDRT group (RR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.08-1.92). No significant differences were observed in treatment response rates. Risk of bias was generally low, and evidence certainty ranged from moderate to high. GRADE assessment indicated high certainty for adverse events but moderate certainty for pain and functional outcomes.

conclusionThis meta-analysis found that low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) offers no significant benefit over sham treatment for osteoarthritis in terms of pain or function, despite mild adverse effects. Current evidence does not support its use over standard therapies, and due to clinical heterogeneity and limited follow-up, LDRT should remain investigational reserved for research or select refractory cases.

Indexed as

ArthralgiaOsteoarthritisPain ManagementHumansPain MeasurementRadiotherapy DosageTreatment OutcomeAnti-Inflammatory agentsFunctional statusJointsOsteoarthritisPain managementRadiotherapy

Identifiers

PMID40888940

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.