Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate for Knee Osteoarthritis

Glucosamine plus chondroitin sulfate were ineffective overall, but conferred some benefit in a subgroup of patients with moderate-to-severe symptoms.

In this long-awaited multicenter NIH-supported trial, researchers examined the dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The trial included 1583 patients with knee pain for at least 6 months, plus radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis. Patients were randomized to receive placebo, glucosamine hydrochloride (500 mg 3 times daily), chondroitin sulfate (400 mg 3 times daily), both supplements, or celecoxib (200 mg daily). A response to treatment was defined as a 20% decrease in pain on a standardized scale at 24 weeks.

Overall response rates were 60%, 64%, 65%, 67%, and 70% in the placebo, glucosamine, chondroitin, glucosamine/chondroitin, and celecoxib groups, respectively. Only the res…

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD