Medical Evidence
Chondroitin Sulfate For The Treatment
Of Knee And Spine Osteoarthritis (Originally in French)]
Le Chondroitine Sulfate Dans Le Traitement
De La Gonarthrose Et De La Coxarthrose Résultats- à 5 mois,
d'une étude prospective multicentrique, contrôlée, en double aveugle,
versus placebo* B. Mazieres, G. Loyau, C.J. Memkes,
J.P Valat, R.L. Dreiser, J. Charlot, A. Masounabe-Puyanne
Summary: Chondroitin sulfate
for the treatment of coxarthrosis and gonarthrosis. A prospective,
multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial with five
months follow-up. One hundred twenty patients with osteoarthritis
of the knees and hips were entered into a randomized, placebo-control
led, double-blind trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness
of chondroitin sulfate (Structum). The three-month treatment phase
was followed by a two-month treatment-free phase to allow evaluation
of carry-over effects. The main endpoint was use of nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (expressed as mg of diclofenac equivalent).
At completion of the three-month treatment phase, patients taking
chondroitin sulfate (4 capsules/day) were using significantly
less NSAIDs ; this decrease persisted throughout the two-month
treatment-free follow-up phase. The other parameters studied including
visual analog scale assessment of pain, the Lesquesne pain-function
index, and overall patient and physician assessments, all showed
a similar significant tendency. Tolerance was outstanding and
no patients required premature withdrawal. These findings indicate
that chondroitin sulfate is useful for the treatment of osteoarthritis,
both as an agent slowly effective against symptoms and to reduce
the need for NSAIDs. The carry-over effect of the drug suggests
that intermittent administration may be appropriate.
Source: Rev. Rhum. Mal. Osteoartic.
1992, 59 (7-8), 466-472
Dr. Theo's Comments: This
very well designed study proves that chondroitin is effective
for osteoarthritis and probably has disease-modifying effects
since the subjects improved even after treatment stopped. This
type of study design provides the highest level of medical evidence.
