The role of chondroitin sulphate in the treatment of osteoarthritis was discussed at a satellite symposium sponsored by IBSA and Laboratories Gerevrier.
Dr B. LEEB (centre for rheumatology of lower Austria, Stockerau, Austria) described chondroitin as a SYSADOA - a symptomatic slow-acting drug in osteoarthritis (OA). Such drugs had a delayed onset of efficacy without immediate analgesic effects.
The mode of action of chondroitin was discussed by Professor X. CHEVALIER (Hospital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France). It had been suggested that chondroitin was a chondroprotective agent, possibly acting by increasing the content of functional matrix proteins, mainly proteoglycans, or by helping chondrocytes to build up a protective extracellular matrix.
Dr D. UEBELHART (University Spital, Zürich, Switzerland) presented the results of a phase III clinical trial of chondroitin in 110 patients with OA of the knee. Patients received 800mg/day of chondroitin on a three-months on, three-months off treatment regime. Clinical and structural improvement were assessed after 12 months.
Dr Uebelhart concluded that chondroitin was effective and well tolerated in terms of symptom relief. In addition, it had positive effects on joint space narrowing which suggested that the drug had some structure modifying properties, he said.
A French study of the use of chondroitin in OA conducted in community pharmacy was reported by Professor B. BEGAUD (Hospital Pellegrin-Carrére, Bordeaux). The study involved 844 patients in 144 pharmacies. Patients taking chondroitin for the first time were compared with long-term (over three months) users of the drug. A clear improvement was observed in 66 per cent of patients taking chondroitin long-term. In this group, the consumption of NSAIDs was reduced both in number and in dosage, he said. The results proved the efficacy of chondroitin as an OA treatment, he concluded.
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