title: Glycosaminoglycan polysulfuric acid (GAGPS) in osteoarthritis of the knee.
abstract: We studied the efficacy and tolerability of glycosaminoglycan polysulfuric acid (GAGPS) in 80 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Patients received two series of five intra-articular injections, at 1-week intervals, of 25 mg (0.5 ml) GAGPS into the knee in a double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. There was an immediate decrease in pain after the injections of 43% with GAGPS and 33% with placebo (P = 0.047) (Jezek pain index). Pain relief of GAGPS vs placebo was not different at other intervals (10, 14, 22, 26 weeks after start of treatment). At 6 weeks the Lequesne index decreased 20% after GAGPS and 9% after placebo (P = 0.17). At 10 weeks the Lequesne index decreased 24% after GAGPS and 13% after placebo (P = 0.20). The decrease in Lequesne index at 14 weeks was 31% after GAGPS and 15% after placebo (P = 0.06). The other measured parameters tended to be more favorably influenced by GAGPS than placebo. GAGPS was well tolerated, with associated mild adverse reactions in 8% of cases. GAGPS may have a role as a symptomatic slow acting drug for OA. Further study appears appropriate.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Rheumatology, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pavelka
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sedlácková
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gatterová
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Becvár
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pavelka
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D007719:Knee Joint; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010166:Palliative Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; C010034:Arteparon; D007052:Ibuprofen