title: Beneficial effect of creatine supplementation in knee osteoarthritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of creatine (CR) supplementation combined with strengthening exercises in knee osteoarthritis (OA).
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed. Postmenopausal women with knee OA were allocated to receive either CR (20 g·d(-1) for 1 wk and 5 g·d(-1) thereafter) or placebo (PL) and were enrolled in a lower limb resistance training program. They were assessed at baseline (PRE) and after 12 wk (POST). The primary outcome was the physical function as measured by the timed-stands test. Secondary outcomes included lean mass, quality of life, pain, stiffness, and muscle strength.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physical function was significantly improved only in the CR group (P = 0.006). In addition, a significant between-group difference was observed (CR: PRE = 15.7 ± 1.4, POST = 18.1 ± 1.8; PL: PRE = 15.0 ± 1.8, POST = 15.2 ± 1.2; P = 0.004). The CR group also presented improvements in physical function and stiffness subscales as evaluated by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (P = 0.005 and P = 0.024, respectively), whereas the PL group did not show any significant changes in these parameters (P > 0.05). In addition, only the CR group presented a significant improvement in lower limb lean mass (P = 0.04) as well as in quality of life (P = 0.01). Both CR and PL groups demonstrated significant reductions in pain (P < 0.05). Similarly, a main effect for time revealed an increase in leg-press one-repetition maximum (P = 0.005) with no significant differences between groups (P = 0.81).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CR supplementation improves physical function, lower limb lean mass, and quality of life in postmenopausal women with knee OA undergoing strengthening exercises.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology-University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Manoel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Neves
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gualano
authors.forename: Hamilton
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roschel
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.forename: Fabiana Braga
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Benatti
authors.forename: Ana Lucia De Sá
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Fernanda Rodrigues
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Rosa Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Antonio Herbert
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Lancha
authors.forename: Eloisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonfá
mesh_terms: D003401:Creatine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects; D011788:Quality of Life; D055070:Resistance Training; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003401:Creatine