Medical Evidence
Double-Blind Clinical Evaluation of
the Relative Efficacy of Ibuprofen and Glucosamine Sulphate in
the Management of Osteoarthrosis of the Knee in Outpatients. Antonio
Lopes Vaz, M.D. St. John Hospital, Oporto, Portugal
Summary: A double-blind trial
was carried out in 40 out-patients with unilateral osteoarthrosis
of the knee to compare the efficacy and tolerance of oral treatment
with 1.5 g glucosamine sulphate or 1.2 g ibuprofen daily over
a period-of 8 weeks. Pain scores decreased faster during the first
2 weeks in the ibuprofen than in the glucosamine treatment group.
Although the rate of decrease was slower, reduction in pain scores
was continued throughout the trial period in patients on glucosamine
and the difference between the two groups turned significantly
in favour of glucosamine at Week 8. No significant differences
were observed in swelling or any of the other parameters monitored.
Tolerance was satisfactory with both treatments, with only minor
complaints being reported in 2 patients on glucosamine compared
with 5 patients on ibuprofen.
Source: Current Medical Research
and Opinion Vol.8, No. 3, 1982
Dr. Theo's Comments: A small,
but very well designed study showing that glucosamine could replace
ibuprofen as a treatment of knee osteoarthritis. NSAIDs work faster
at relieving pain than glucosamine and chondroitin. I usually
instruct my patients on chronic NSAIDs to take the supplements
and their NSAIDs and the supplements together then try and cut
down or eliminate the NSAIDs after 3-6 weeks.