03.01.09
Indication: Knee osteoarthritis (OA)
Source: Arthritis & Rheumatism, February 2009;(60)2;524-533.
Research: Researchers performed an international, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which 622 patients with knee OA were randomly assigned to receive either 800 mg of chondroitin sulfate (n = 309 patients) or placebo (n = 313 patients) once daily for 2 years. Radiographs of the target knee, using the Lyon schuss view, were obtained at the time of enrollment and at 12, 18 and 24 months. The minimum joint space width (JSW) of the medial compartment of the tibiofemoral joint was assessed by digital image analysis. The primary outcome was the loss in minimum JSW over 2 years.
Results: The intent-to-treat analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in minimum JSW loss in the CS group as compared with the placebo group. The percentage of patients with radiographic progression 0.25 mm was significantly reduced in the CS group compared with the placebo group (28% versus 41%). Pain improved significantly faster in the CS group than in the placebo group. There were no differences in safety between groups. Researchers believe the long-term combined structure-modifying and symptom-modifying effects of CS suggest that it could be a disease-modifying agent in patients with knee OA.
Source: Arthritis & Rheumatism, February 2009;(60)2;524-533.
Research: Researchers performed an international, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which 622 patients with knee OA were randomly assigned to receive either 800 mg of chondroitin sulfate (n = 309 patients) or placebo (n = 313 patients) once daily for 2 years. Radiographs of the target knee, using the Lyon schuss view, were obtained at the time of enrollment and at 12, 18 and 24 months. The minimum joint space width (JSW) of the medial compartment of the tibiofemoral joint was assessed by digital image analysis. The primary outcome was the loss in minimum JSW over 2 years.
Results: The intent-to-treat analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in minimum JSW loss in the CS group as compared with the placebo group. The percentage of patients with radiographic progression 0.25 mm was significantly reduced in the CS group compared with the placebo group (28% versus 41%). Pain improved significantly faster in the CS group than in the placebo group. There were no differences in safety between groups. Researchers believe the long-term combined structure-modifying and symptom-modifying effects of CS suggest that it could be a disease-modifying agent in patients with knee OA.