Glucosamine, chondroitin, and manganese ascorbate for degenerative joint disease of the knee or low back: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
A 16-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of a combination of glucosamine HCl (1,500 mg/day), chondroitin sulfate (1,200 mg/day), and manganese ascorbate (228 mg/day) in degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the knee or low back was conducted.


METHODS
Thirty-four males from the U.S. Navy diving and special warfare community with chronic pain and radiographic DJD of the knee or low back were randomized. A summary disease score incorporated results of pain and functional questionnaires, physical examination scores, and running times. Changes were presented as a percentage of the patient's average score.


RESULTS
Knee osteoarthritis symptoms were relieved as demonstrated by the summary disease score (-16.3%; p = 0.05), patient assessment of treatment effect (p = 0.02), visual analog scale for pain recorded at clinic visits (-26.6%; p = 0.05) and in a diary (-28.6%; p = 0.02), and physical examination score (-43.3%; p = 0.01). Running times did not change. The study neither demonstrated, nor excluded, a benefit for spinal DJD. Side effect frequency was similar to that at baseline. There were no hematologic effects.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination therapy relieves symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. A larger data set is needed to determine the value of this therapy for spinal DJD. Short-term combination therapy appears safe in this setting.
Leffler
C T
CT
Medical Department, Naval Special Warfare Group Two, Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Norfolk, VA 23521, USA. occdr@aol.com
Philippi
A F
AF
Leffler
S G
SG
Mosure
J C
JC
Kim
P D
PD
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D017895:Manganese Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D009326:Naval Medicine; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011859:Radiography; D012420:Running; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004338:Drug Combinations; D017895:Manganese Compounds; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D005944:Glucosamine; D001205:Ascorbic Acid