Osteoarthritis Patients Continue to Use Chondroitin and Glucosamine

In another randomized trial, this combination was no better than placebo.

Despite lack of compelling evidence of benefit, chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate continue to be used to treat patients with knee osteoarthritis. In a prior trial (GAIT), this combination failed to diminish joint pain significantly in the entire cohort, but a subanalysis of patients with moderate-to-severe knee OA showed some benefit (NEJM JW Gen Med Mar 15 2006 and N Engl J Med 2006; 354:795). Other trials (of questionable validity) have suggested that chondroitin/glucosamine is as efficacious as celecoxib. In this new randomized trial, researchers in Spain compared once-daily chondroitin/glucosamine (1200 mg/1500 mg) with placebo in 164 patients with moderate-to-severe OA.

One hundred nineteen patients completed 6 months of treat…

Reviewing Author

Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD

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Consultant / Advisory BoardCVS Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory BoardCVS Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Osteoarthritis Patients Continue to Use Chondroitin and Glucosamine

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Reviewing Author