Randomized, controlled trial of glucosamine for treating osteoarthritis of the knee.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of glucosamine in reducing pain from osteoarthritis of the knee.


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind parallel trial of glucosamine 500 mg three times daily or a placebo for 2 months.


METHODS
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Prescott, AZ.


METHODS
Ninety-eight patients aged 34 to 81 being treated for osteoarthritis of the knee.


METHODS
Pain intensity both at rest and while walking as assessed by a visual analog scale at baseline and after 30 and 60 days of treatment.


RESULTS
Forty-nine patients were randomly allocated to each group. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in scores on the visual analog scale at 30 days for resting (mean [SD] score placebo group 3.5 [2.7] vs 3.3 [2.4] glucosamine group, P = 0.66) or walking (5.1 [2.6] vs 5.3 [2.4], P = 0.69); there was also no difference at 60 days for resting (3.4 [2.5] vs 3.2 [2.5], P = 0.81) or walking (4.9 [2.2] vs 4.9 [2.8], P = 0.90). There was also no statistical difference between groups in the mean change from baseline in scores on the visual analog scale (mean [SD] change for walking at 60 days placebo group -1.5 [2.5] vs glucosamine group -1.4 [3.0], P = 0.77). Two participants taking glucosamine and 4 taking placebo withdrew from the study due to adverse side effects (P = 0.67).


CONCLUSIONS
Glucosamine was no better than placebo in reducing pain from osteoarthritis of the knee in this group of patients.
Rindone
J P
JP
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Prescott, AZ 86313, USA. joseph.rindone@med.va.gov
Hiller
D
D
Collacott
E
E
Nordhaugen
N
N
Arriola
G
G
D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005944:Glucosamine