[Efficacy and safety evaluation of glucosamine hydrochloride in the treatment of osteoarthritis].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of glucosamine hydrochloride for the treatment of osteoarthritis.


METHODS
A multi-central, randomized, controlled clinical trial of glucosamine hydrochloride comparing glucosamine sulfate for the treatment of osteoarthritis was performed. One hundred and forty-three patients suffering from knee or hip osteoarthritis were randomized into study (glucosamine hydrochloride) or control (glucosamine sulfate) group. Patients in study group orally took glucosamine hydrochloride 2 times daily for 6 weeks, each time 1 capsule, and those in control group took glucosamine sulfate 3 times daily for 6 weeks also, each time 2 capsules.


RESULTS
The symptomatic improvement of joint pain at walking, at rest and stiffness after 6 week treatment with glucosamine hydrochloride was better than those with glucosamine sulfate. The results had significant difference (P < 0.05). Total effective rates of patients with glucosamine hydrochloride was 75.4% and 60.6% with glucosamine sulfate, but no statistical difference. The results suggested both glucosamine had the considerable efficacy in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Three cases in study group and 2 in control group reported mild adverse events. No severe adverse events (SAE) was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Glucosamine hydrochloride is as effective and safe as glucosamine sulfate for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Zhang
Wei-bin
WB
Department of Orthopedics, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical College, Shanghai 200025, China. weibin@medmail.com.cn
Zhuang
Cheng-yu
CY
Li
Jian-min
JM
Yang
Zhi-ping
ZP
Chen
Xiao-liang
XL
D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005944:Glucosamine