[Chondroitin sulfates (CS 4&6): practical applications and economic impact].
PROVEN CLINICAL BENEFIT: It has been demonstrated that CS 4&6 administered at the dose of 1200 mg/d for several months is more effective than placebo and as effective as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) in providing pain relief and improving joint function without risk in subjects with osteoarthritis of the hip and the knee. The beneficial effect persists several weeks after the end of treatment. These advantages should thus have an overall cost-lowering effect. EVALUATION OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT: A medico-economical study was conducted to reevaluate the beneficial effect of CS 4&6 on the quantity of NSAID prescriptions in France and to determine whether the drug was used correctly in accordance with indications at an adequate dose and treatment duration.


METHODS
Two databases, IMS a data bank on medical prescriptions in France, and THALES which gives information on prescriptions by 300 general practitioners, allowed a dynamic analysis of the medical files of 11,000 patients with osteoarthritis. ECONOMICAL BENEFIT: The cost of NSAID prescriptions by general practitioners was reduced by an estimated 67% in patients treated with CS 4&6. In terms of the quantity of NSAID used, the reduction in the CS 4&6 treated group was 63% and 85.3% respectively in patients treated by generalists and by specialists. The quantity of NSAIDs prescribed was reduced by two-thirds when CS 4&6 were represcribed. The cost related to CS 4&6 treatment was compensated for by the reduction in physiotherapy costs and by fewer co-prescriptions for gastroprotective drugs. This study confirmed the randomized clinical studies demonstrating that a regimen of CS 4&6 for several weeks at the dose of 1200 mg/d lowers prescriptions of NSAID which can be completely avoided in nearly half the cases.
Conrozier
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Service de Rhumatologie, Centre hospitalier Lyon-Sud, Pierre-Bénite.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates
Les chondroïtines sulfates (CS 4&6): schéma d'utilisation et impact économique.