title: NSAID-sparing effect of glucosamine hydrochloride in patients with knee osteoarthritis: an analysis of data from a French database.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of pain, functional limitation, and reduced quality-of-life, particularly in older adults. This study evaluated the 'real world' NSAID-sparing effect of glucosamine (specifically Structoflex®) in patients with knee OA compared with a control population of patients who did not receive a slow-acting symptomatic anti-osteoarthritis agent.
  
  
  METHODS
  This analysis was conducted over a 1-year follow-up period. Data were sourced from the French Disease Analyzer (IMS Lifelink EMR™) database.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary measure was the NSAID-sparing effect produced by Structoflex® compared with a matched control group. Secondary measures included an evaluation of the change in the number of general practitioner visits and use of other medicinal products related to knee OA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 11,772 patients (67.66% female) were included in the analysis (436 and 11,336 patients in the Structoflex® and control groups, respectively). Most patients were aged 50-65 years (58.72%); 19.5% of patients were aged >76 years. At study inclusion, 51.61% of patients had experienced OA for <1 year. Prior to starting Structoflex®, 51.61% of patients had received an NSAID prescription. Significantly more patients who were receiving an NSAID at the time of starting Structoflex® discontinued their NSAID treatment during the follow-up period compared with patients in the control group (32% vs 23%; p = 0.0452). During the 1-year follow-up period, the total mean duration of NSAID prescription (30.39 ± 38.64 days vs 37.82 ± 54.62 days; p = 0.0109) and the mean number of days (calculated using Defined Daily Dose) on NSAID (45.12 ± 49.03 days vs 53.00 ± 71.14 days; p = 0.0333) was significantly lower in Structoflex®-treated patients compared with control group patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This large 'real world' analysis demonstrated a significant NSAID-sparing effect of glucosamine in patients with knee OA.
authors.affiliation: Service de Rhumatologie, C.H.U. Dupuytren , Limoges , France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bertin
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Taieb
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D005944:Glucosamine; D007213:Indomethacin