title: Chondroitin sulfate in erosive osteoarthritis of the hands.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the joint count for erosions in patients with erosive osteoarthritis (EOA) of the hands treated with 800 mg/day of orally administered chondroitin sulfate plus naproxen, compared with that of patients administered naproxen only. Twenty-four consecutive patients (22 women and two men, mean age 53.0 +/- 6) suffering from symptomatic OA and with radiographic characteristics of EOA were studied. The patients were divided into two groups of 12 patients each. The first group took naproxen 500 mg/day only. The second group was treated with chondroitin sulfate 800 mg/day orally plus naproxen 500 mg/day. Radiological hand examinations were performed at baseline and again after 12 and 24 months. In both groups, the joint count for erosions showed a general tendency to increase over time. Progression of erosions at 24 months was lower in patients treated with 800 mg/day chondroitin sulfate plus naproxen than in patients taking naproxen only (p <0.05). Chondroitin sulfate failed to stop the usual time-associated progression in the number of finger joints presenting erosions in EOA of the hands. It was, however, associated with a lower increase in the number of finger joints with erosions detected after 2 years of radiological observation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, DISEM, University of Genova Medical School, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rovetta
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Monteforte
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Molfetta
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Balestra
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009288:Naproxen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D009288:Naproxen; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates