Abstract

A MULTIMODAL AYURVEDIC TREATMENT APPROACH FOR AMAVATA (RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS): A CASE REPORT

Dr. Pratiksha Lokhande, Dr. Urmila Shirke*, Dr. Manali Shedge

Abstract

Amavata is a systemic inflammatory joint disorder characterized by the pathological association of Ama and Vata and shares several clinical features with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This case report describes the clinical and serological outcomes of a sequential Ayurvedic Shodhana–Shamana protocol in a 44-year-old female presenting with a six-month history of bilateral polyarthralgia involving the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints, wrists, and knees, accompanied by morning stiffness lasting more than 60 minutes, fatigue, and anorexia. Amavata was diagnosed according to classical Ayurvedic criteria, and the patient concurrently fulfilled the 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for RA, with a score of ≥6. Baseline rheumatoid factor (RF) was >160 IU/mL (reference range: 0– 30 IU/mL), indicating seropositive disease. A sequential Ayurvedic treatment protocol was administered over approximately 14 weeks, comprising Vaitarana Basti for eight consecutive days followed by Matra Basti for eight days, along with Sinhanada Guggulu 500 mg twice daily, PunarnavadiKwatha 40 mL twice daily, and local application (Lepa) of Shunthi, Rasna, Punarnava, and Daruharidra over the affected joints. Following treatment, RF decreased from >160 IU/mL to 50 IU/mL, representing a reduction of at least 68.75% relative to the assay's upper reported threshold. The patient also demonstrated near-complete resolution of morning stiffness, substantial reduction in joint tenderness and swelling, and marked improvement in functional capacity, with no adverse effects observed during the treatment period. These findings suggest that sequential Shodhana–Shamana Ayurvedic management was associated with meaningful clinical and serological improvement in this case of seropositive Amavata. Further systematic studies are warranted to evaluate the efficacy and reproducibility of this therapeutic approach.

Keywords: Amavata; Rheumatoid Arthritis; Vaitarana Basti; Sinhanad Guggulu; Punarnavadi Kwatha; Panchakarma; Shodhana; Shamana.