Glucosamine/chondroitin combined with exercise for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
This preliminary study sought to determine whether using 1500/1200mg of glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate (GH/CS) is effective, both separately and combined with exercise, compared to a placebo plus exercise program in improving physical function, pain, strength, balance, and mobility in older adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA).


METHODS
This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial lasted 12 months. Participants included 89 older adults (age>/=50 years) with knee OA randomized to either GH/CS or placebo group. Phase I was a 6-month trial comparing the effects of assignment to either GH/CS or placebo. Phase II added 6 months of exercise for both groups. The primary outcome measure was Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) function, and secondary outcome measures included WOMAC pain, 6-min walk, balance, and knee strength.


RESULTS
Of the 89 randomized participants, 72 (81%) completed the study. The median pill compliance was 94% and 95% in Phase I, and, in Phase II, 97% and 91% for the GH/CS and placebo groups, respectively. Median exercise compliance during Phase II was 77% for the GH/CS group and 78% for the placebo group. WOMAC function and pain did not differ significantly between the groups at 6- or 12-month follow-up. There were also no significant differences between the groups in 6-min walk or knee strength; however, balance was better in the placebo group with approximately a 10% difference compared to the GH/CS group.


CONCLUSIONS
The GH/CS group was not superior to the placebo group in function, pain, or mobility after both phases of the intervention (pill only and pill plus exercise).
Messier
S P
SP
Department of Health and Exercise Science, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, United States. messier@wfu.edu
Mihalko
S
S
Loeser
R F
RF
Legault
C
C
Jolla
J
J
Pfruender
J
J
Prosser
B
B
Adrian
A
A
Williamson
J D
JD
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002807:Chondroitin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000628:therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D002807:Chondroitin; D005944:Glucosamine