Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate did not improve pain in osteoarthritis of the knee

doi:10.1136/ebm.11.4.115

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Evidence-Based Medicine 2006;11:115; doi:10.1136/ebm.11.4.115
Copyright © 2006 by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

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Therapeutics

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate did not improve pain in osteoarthritis of the knee

Clegg DO, Reda DJ, Harris CL, et al. Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and the two in combination for painful knee osteoarthritis. N Engl J Med 2006;354:795–808.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

Q In patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, are glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, or both more effective than placebo for relief of pain?

Clinical impact ratings GP/FP/Primary care $*$ $*$ $*$ $*$ $*$ $*$ ${star}$ IM/Ambulatory care $*$ $*$ $*$ $*$ $*$ ${star}$ ${star}$ Rheumatology $*$ $*$ $*$ $*$ $*$ $*$ ${star}$ Physical medicine & rehabilitation $*$ $*$ $*$ $*$ $*$ $*$ $*$

Key Words: chondroitin sulphates • glucosamine • osteoarthritis (knee) • pain

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

METHODS
Design randomised placebo controlled trial. (Glucosamine/chondroitinArthritis Intervention Trial [GAIT]).

Allocation unclear allocation concealment.*

Blinding blinded (clinicians and patients).*

Follow-up period 6 months.

Setting 16 clinical centres in the US.

Patients 1583 patients $>=$ 40 years of age (mean age 59 y, 54% women) whohad knee pain for $>=$ 6 months and on most days of the previousmonth; radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis; score 125–400on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OsteoarthritisIndex (WOMAC); and American Rheumatism Association functionalclass I, II, or III. See www.evidence-basedmedicine for exclusioncriteria.

Intervention glucosamine hydrochloride, 1500 mg/day (n = 317); sodium chondroitinsulphate, 1200 mg/day (n = 318); both glucosamine plus chondroitinsulphate (n = 317); celecoxib, 200 mg/day (n = 318); or placebo(n = 313) for 24 weeks.

Outcomes 20% decrease in WOMAC pain score. Secondary outcomes includedOutcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials OsteoarthritisResearch Society International response. See www.evidence-basedmedicine.com. . . [Full text of this article]

Michael J Baime, MD

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA