title: [Efficacy of chondroitin sulphate in the treatment of elderly patients with gonarthrosis and coxarthrosis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study chondroitin sulphate (CS) efficacy, tolerance and response duration in elderly patients with osteoarthrosis (OA) with consideration of OA duration and stage.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 97 patients aged 65-85 years with stage II-IV OA by Kellgren-Lawrence received CS treatment. The treatment efficacy was assessed by functional Lecken's index, pain intensity at walking and rest, general functional condition, need in nonsteroid anti-inflammatory (NSAI) drugs. Standardization was achieved with visual analogue scale (VAS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Positive effects (pain relief, better functional parameters, lower intake of NSAI drugs) were more pronounced and stable in patients with OA stage 1 and 2. In OA of stage 3 and 4, a beneficial effect of a 6-month CS course was unstable. Side effects were at the level of mean statistics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CS (structum) is recommended for treatment of OA stage 1-4 by Kellgren-Lawrence. Duration of the treatment depends on severity of x-ray symptoms of the disease.
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Lazebnik
authors.forename: V N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Drozdov
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates