title: Kashin-Beck disease in Sichuan, China: report of a pilot open therapeutic trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to identify adults with symptomatic Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) and observe the efficacy and safety of diclofenac sodium, naproxen, and glucosamine hydrochloride in these adult patients in Rang-tang (Sichuan Province), China.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred eighty-three adult patients with KBD were enrolled into this open study. Patients were randomized to receive diclofenac sodium 50 mg twice a day (BID), naproxen 300 mg BID, or glucosamine hydrochloride 750 mg BID for 6 weeks. The primary efficacy parameters evaluated were the visual analog pain scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and physical function subscores. Assessment of daily self-care activities and physician and patient global overall efficacy were also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Diclofenac sodium, naproxen, and glucosamine hydrochloride all reduced the joint pain and improved physical function and daily self-care activities in adult patients with KBD. Visual analog pain scale scores, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index pain scores, physical function scores, and daily self-care activities subscore differences were statistically significant compared with baselines (P < 0.05). Comparison studies among the 3 agents showed no statistically significant difference in efficacy. The incidences of gastrointestinal adverse reactions were 18% and 14% in the diclofenac sodium group and the glucosamine hydrochloride group, respectively, which tended to be lower than the naproxen group (29%). However, the differences were not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This report documents characteristic findings in these patients. Diclofenac sodium, naproxen, and glucosamine hydrochloride produced substantial improvements over baseline in pain relief, physical function, and daily self-care activities in these open observations of adult patients with KBD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Fuxing
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pei
authors.forename: Yixin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zongke
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Pengde
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Qibing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D057767:Kashin-Beck Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009288:Naproxen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011859:Radiography; D012648:Self Care; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004008:Diclofenac; D009288:Naproxen; D005944:Glucosamine; C009149:6-desoxy-D-glucosamine