Effectiveness of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate Combination in Patients with Primary Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Purpose: Studying the effectiveness of chondroprotective agents for patients with primary knee arthritis or primary generalized osteoarthritis, according to the American College of Rheumatology 2000 criteria. Material and Methods: comparative study, the groups were constituted out of 25 patients in the study group and 15 patients in the control group. The patients were evaluated with the WOMAC test, Lequesne, cross-linked C-terminal (CTX) telopeptide of type I collagen on inclusion, at 6 and 12 months and through bilateral- knee radiography, using the Kellgren-Lawrence classification on inclusion and 12 months later. Patients from the study group received a chondroprotectiv agent orally for 12 months. Results: WOMAC score was improved in the study group at 6 and 12 months -4.1 (CI -6.1 to -2.1) and -5.9 (CI -8 to -3.8) compared to the control group 1.5 (CI -0.7 to 3.7) and 2 (CI -0.2 to 4.2), with a statistical significance p=0.02. There has also been an amelioration of the Lequesne score in the study group at 6 and 12 months -3.8 (CI -6.3 to -1.3) and -6.2 (CI -9.1 to -3.3), and the control group 1.3 (CI -1.5 to 4.1) to 6 months and 1.9 (CI -0.8 to 4.6) to 12 months, with a statistical significance p=0.03. No adverse reactions were registered. Conclusions: The chondroprotective agent was effective in improving the function of patients with osteoarthritis, the studied marker cannot be used to monitor the treatment effectiveness, and the radiological modifications in the knee are statistically insignificant after 12 months of monitoring.