title: Galactosaminoglycuronglycan sulfate in erosive osteoarthritis of the hands: early diagnosis, early treatment.
abstract: This study examined the effect of an oral chondroprotective drug, galactosaminoglycuronglycan sulfate (GAGs), on the evolution of erosive osteoarthritis of the hands (EOA). Twenty-four patients affected with EOA of the hands were evaluated. The patients had painful, frank arthritis of DIP and PIP joints; X-rays reduced joint space; X-rays central joint erosions; positive joint scintiscan, in absence of other inflammatory and erosive arthropathies. Twelve patients were treated with a chondroprotective drug, GAGs 800 mg/ die; twelve patients were the control group. The results at two years documented that the GAGs treatment influenced certainly joint pain and doubtfully bone scintiscan in EOA.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Emilio Bruzzone-Cattedra di Reumatologia DISEM, University of Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rovetta
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Monteforte
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; C080839:galactosamine glucuronoglycan sulfate