November 9, 2004 – Glucosamine has been shown to be ineffective in preventing pain attacks in people with osteoarthritis of the knee, in a Canadian study.
The double-blind study, led from the Arthritis Research Center of Canada (ACR) by researchers at the University of British Columbia, involved 137 participants with osteoarthritis of the knee. All had to use glucosamine for at least one month before the start of the clinical trial, with an average of two years. From Vancouver (British Columbia), Winnipeg (Manitoba), London (Ontario) and Saint-John (New Brunswick), these people must all have personally observed a minor decrease in their pain since using glucosamine. .
During the six-month study, 71 randomly selected patients took 1,500 mg of glucosamine in capsule form daily, while the remaining 66 took a placebo. During the course of the clinical trial, each participant’s condition was assessed at different times, according to two recognized scales: the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) as well as the European Quality of life questionnaire. (EQ-5D).
The results observed were similar: both those taking glucosamine and those taking the placebo suffered pain attacks in a proportion of 45% and 42%, respectively. In addition, these seizures occurred as quickly and were found to be equally severe in both groups.
For the leader of the research team, Dr Jolanda Cibere, this study is in addition to others carried out recently which would tend to show that glucosamine is not more effective than a placebo against osteoarthritis of the knee, even moderate.
However, the literature is not so categorical on this subject.2. While some clinical trials have shown negative results, most research to date shows that glucosamine relieves, at least slightly, symptoms of minor or moderate osteoarthritis. This is the case of a recent study which found that a dose of 2000 mg of hydrochloride per day reduced pain and improved mobility in people with knee pain due to cartilage injury or other causes. , including osteoarthritis. Likewise, the findings of two long-term clinical trials (three years each, 414 subjects in total) indicate that the action of glucosamine, in addition to its effects on symptoms, may help to slow the progression of the disease. .
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
According to Le Devoir
1. Cibere J, Kopec JA, Thorne A, Singer J, et al, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-COntrolled Glucosamine Discontinuation Trial in Knee Osteoarthritis, Arthritis & Rheumatism, October 15, 2004, Vol. 51, No. 5, 738-745.
2. See our fact sheet on glucosamine.