Long-Term Effects of Glucosamine Sulphate on Osteoarthritis Progression: A Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Source:Reginster JY, Deroisy R, Rovati LC, et al. (Lancet. 357:251-256, 2001.)

ABSTRACT

BACKGORUND

Treatment of osteoarthritis is usually limited to short-term symptom control. We assessed the effects of the specific drug glucosamine sulphate on the long-term progression of osteoarthritis joint structure changes and symptoms.

METHODS

We did a randomized, double-blind placebo controlled trial, in which 212 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned 1,500 mg sulphate oral glucosamine or placebo once daily for 3 years. Weightbearing, anteroposterior radiographs of each knee in full extension were taken at enrolment and after 1 and 3 years. Mean joint-space width of the medial compartment of the tibiofemoral join was assessed by digital image analysis, whereas minimum joint-space width – i.e., at the narrowest point – was measured by visual inspection with a magnifying lens. Symptoms were scored by the western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index.

FINDINGS

The 106 patients on placebo had a progressive joint-space narrowing, with a mean joint-space loss after 3 years of -0.31 mm (95% CI -0.48 to -0.13). There was no significant joint-space loss in the 106 patients on glucosamine sulphate: -0.06 mm (-0.22 to -0.09). Similar results were reported with minimum joint-space narrowing. As assessed by WOMAC scores, symptoms worsened slightly in patients on placebo compared with the improvement observed after treatment with glucosamine sulphate. There were no differences in safely or reasons for early withdrawal between the treatment and placebo groups.

INTERPRETATION

The long-term combined structure-modifying and symptom-modifying effects of glucosamine sulphate suggest that it could be a disease modifying agent in osteoarthritis.
 

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Articles: Topical Cream for Osteoarthritis  |  Glucosamine  |  Transdermal Delivery Technology  |  Glucosamine On Painful Knee Osteoarthritis  |  Long-Term Effects of Glucosamine Sulphate on Osteoarthritis  |  Effect of Glucosamine On Regular Knee Pain  |  Management of Osteoarthritis  |  Glucosamine Effects in Humans  |  Effects of Glucosamine Derivatives on Equine Articular Cartilage Degradation  |  Effect of Glucosamine Supplementation on Fasting and Non-Fasting Plasma Glucose  |  Glucosamine Sulfate Use and Delay of Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis  |  Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms

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