Glucosamine Sulfate Aids Osteoarthritis Patients

A three-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 212 patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis has demonstrated that 1,500 mg once a day of oral glucosamine sulfate can slow the progression of the disease and reduce pain and function limitations. The multicenter study was published in the January 26 issue of The Lancet.

Disease progression was evaluated by measuring the joint space width on x-rays of the knee. Placebo patients experienced progressive joint space narrowing, representing further loss of cartilage, but patients who received glucosamine sulfate showed no further joint space narrowing. Additionally, pain and function limitation worsened with the placebo but improved with glucosamine sulfate. The study also showed that glucosamine sulfate is a safe compound.

The Lancet article warns against generalizing the study results to glucosamine products other than the one used in this study, which was Dona, manufactured by Rotta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "Further studies may be necessary to see of administration of glucosamine sultate for even longer periods may reduce substantial disability after decades and/or the need for surgical joint replacement,” said Dr. Lucio Rovati, co-investigator from Milan, Italy.



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The Lancet