October 4, 2005 – Glucosamine is believed to reduce arthritis pain as much as conventional anti-inflammatory drugs, according to the results of two double-blind clinical trials in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.
The American College of Rheumatology has just announced that the data from these two important comparative studies will be officially presented at a conference it will hold in San Diego, United States, on November 14.
In a US government-sponsored trial, the Glucosamine / chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT)1, researchers compared the effects of glucosamine hydrochloride (1,500 mg per day), chondroitin sulfate (1,200 mg per day), these two combined supplements and celecoxibe (Celebrex®) to those of a placebo. The 1,500 subjects participating in the trial took either of these substances for six months.
The results indicate that the combined glucosamine and chondroitin, as well as celecoxibe, were found to be more effective than placebo in relieving arthritis knee pain.
Note that the Celebrex® belongs to the class of anti-inflammatory cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, which have recently made headlines because of the risks they pose to people who may have cardiovascular disorders.
In another trial, conducted in Spain2, the effects of glucosamine sulfate (1500 mg per day) and acetaminophen (Tylenol® – 3000 mg per day) to those of a placebo. The 318 subjects followed one or the other of these treatments for six months.
The authors report that glucosamine provided significant pain relief compared to placebo. The efficacy of acetaminophen was inconclusive in this trial. Note that acetaminophen (3000 mg per day) is commonly used to relieve arthritis pain.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
Version revised October 25, 2005
According to Foodnavigator.com and the Council for Responsible Nutrition.
1. Clegg DO, Reda DJ, Harris CL, Klein MA. The Efficacy of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate in Patients with Painful Knee Osteoarthritis (OA): The Glucosamine / chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT). Summary of a presentation planned during an American College of Rheumatology conference to be held in San Diego (United States), November 14, 2005. [Consulté le 30 septembre 2005]. www.abstractsonline.com
2. Herrero-Beaumont G, Román JA, Trabado MC, et al. Effects of Glucosamine Sulfate on 6-Month Control of Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms vs Placebo and Acetaminophen: Results from the Glucosamine Unum in Die Efficacy (GUIDE) Trial. Summary of a presentation planned during an American College of Rheumatology conference to be held in San Diego (United States) on November 14, 2005. [Consulté le 30 septembre 2005]. www.abstractsonline.com