Medical Evidence
Efficacy and Tolerability of Chondroitin
Sulfate 1200 Mg/Day vs Chondroitin Sulfate 3 X 400 mg/Day vs Placebo
Pierre Bourgeois, Gerard Chales, Joel Dehais, Bernard Delcambre,
Jean-Louis Kuntz, and Sylvie Rozenberg (France)
Summary: This multicenter
randomized, double-blind, controlled study was performed to compare
the efficacy and tolerability of chondroitin sulfate (CS, Condrosulf®,
IBSA, Lugano, CH) 1200mg/day oral gel vs CS 3 x 400 mg/day capsules
vs placebo, in patients with mono or bilateral knee osteoarthritis
(Kellgren and Lawrence radiographic score grade I to III). A total
of 127 patients, 40 of whom were treated with CS 1200 mg/day,
43 with CS 3 x 400 mg/day and 44 with placebo, were included in
the statistical analysis of this 3-month treatment study. In the
CS groups, Lequesne's Index and spontaneous joint pain (VAS) showed
a significant reduction of clinical symptoms (P < 0.01 for both
parameters), while only a slight reduction was observed in the
placebo group (P = ns for Lequesne's Index and P < 0.05 for VAS).
The physician's and patient's overall efficacy assessments were
significantly in favour of the CS groups (P < 0.01). The treatment
carried out with the three formulations was very well tolerated.
In conclusion, these results indicate that CS favours the improvement
of the subjective symptoms, improving the joint mobility. An additional
consideration is that the efficacy of 1200 mg CS as a single daily
dose does not differ from that of 3 x 400 mg daily doses of CS
for all the clinical parameters taken into consideration.
Source: Osteoarthritis and
Cartilage (1998) 6, (Supplement A), 25-30 Osteoarthritis Research
Society
Dr. Theo’s Comments: This
excellent study proves that chondroitin sulfate can significantly
improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis in the long term. This
type of study design provides the highest level of medical evidence.
Taking chondroitin once daily is as effective as splitting the
dose. Glucosamine, however, has a shorter half-life than chondroitin.
I still recommend a twice-daily dose of the combination glucosamine/chondroitin
supplements.
