Medical Evidence
Results of a multicenter study of chondroitin
sulfate (Condrosulf) use in arthroses of the finger, knee and
hip joints. [Originally in German] [Ergebnisse
einer multizentrischen Anwendungsbeobachtung von Chondroitinsulfat
(Condrosulf) bei Arthrosen der Finger-, Knie- und +Huftgelenke]
Leeb BF. Petera P. Neumann K . Facharztpraxis fur Innere Medizin-Rheumatologie,
Hollabrunn.
Abstract: 61 patients, suffering
from osteoarthritis of the hip, knee and/or finger joints, were
included into this open, multicenter, phase IV trial. Patients
were treated with chondroitinsulfate (CS) at the recommended dose
for 3 months. Concomitant NSAID-therapy, which was necessary for
disease control at the beginning of the observation period could
be reduced by 72% throughout the 3 months of CS-therapy. The decrease
of pain was revealed to be statistically significant; serious
side effects were not to be observed during the study. At the
beginning of the observation period patients suffered from overall
severe pain, and therefore the decrease of pain down to a level,
which could not have been achieved by NSAID therapy alone to a
greater extent, is of special interest. The results of this trial
represent the first office based Austrian data on CS-therapy.
In conclusion it could be demonstrated that a significant reduction
of the daily NSAID consumption was possible by concomitant CS-therapy,
without the risk of deterioration of the patients' symptoms. The
97% compliance does not give evidence for drop-out bias. Moreover,
the results of this trial are comparable to other international
double-blind, in part placebo-controlled studies, concerning CS-therapy,
indicating beneficial results in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Publication Type: Clinical
Trial. Clinical Trial, Phase IV. Journal Article. Multicenter
Source: Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift. 146(24):609-14, 1996.
Austria
Dr. Theo's Comments: This
study was not randomized or placebo-controlled so there may have
been some subject bias (ie. Avis effect). Nevertheless, the Austrian
study shows that chondroitin sulfate can reduce NSAID use dramatically
without serious side effects. This provides more proof that chondroitin
should be included with glucosamine as first-line therapy for
osteoarthritis. NSAIDs, with their vast potential for harm, should
be reserved for cases where active inflammation is a problem.
