Glucosamine delays progression of osteoarthritis in the knee joint
A daily dose of glucosamine can slow the progression of knee osteoarthritis,
researchers have found.
The study involved 202 patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis
of the knee, who were randomised to receive glucosamine sulphate 1,500mg
daily, or placebo. Patients taking glucosamine experienced no change in
radiographic joint space width, measured in the medial compartment of
the tibiofemoral joint, after three years follow-up. However, joint space
width of those who were taking placebo decreased progressively (–0.19mm,
P=0.001) over the same period.
Symptoms such as pain and stiffness improved among the placebo group,
but the improvements experienced by those using glucosamine were greater.
The researchers conclude that long-term treatment with glucosamine sulphate
retarded the progression of knee osteo-arthritis, possibly indicating
disease modification (Archives of Internal Medicine 2002;162:2113).
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