No better than placebo after 24 months of treatment.

First, the details.

• A 24-month study was conducted at 9 sites in the US as part of the Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT).
• 572 patients with knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren/Lawrence grade 2 or 3 changes and joint space width of at least 2 mm) participated.
• The Kellgren-Lawrence score differentiates the severity of osteoarthritis.
• Grade 2 has abnormal bone growth (osteophytes) and definite narrowing of the joint space.
• Grade 3 also has scarring and bone deformity.
• Patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 groups.
• Glucosamine 500 mg 3 times daily
• Chondroitin sulfate 400 mg 3 times daily
• The combination of glucosamine and chondroitin
• The COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib (Celebrex) 200 mg daily
• Placebo
• Patients and researchers were not aware of the treatment given — double-blind.

And, the results.

• There was no statistically significant difference in average joint space width loss with any treatment compared to placebo.
• A trend, but not a significant change in radiological findings was reported with the treatments vs placebo.

The bottom line?
The authors concluded that after 2 years of treatment, there was no clinically important difference in joint space width loss compared with placebo. “Knees with Kellgren/Lawrence grade 2 radiographic osteoarthritis appeared to have the greatest potential for modification by these treatments.”

An earlier report by the GAIT researchers reported benefit in patients with moderate-to-severe knee pain.

It’s a complicated area. This study was designed to identify pathological changes. The earlier study looked for evidence of pain relief.

9/30/08 19:48 JR