RESEARCH - Long-term effects of chondroitins 4 and 6 sulfate on knee OA

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Long-term Effects of Chondroitins 4 and 6 Sulfate on Knee

Osteoarthritis: The Study on Osteoarthritis Progression Prevention, A

Two-year, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial

Posted 11 Mar 2009

Osteoarthritis (OA) causes disability and is a major public health

problem. A new study examined the effect of chondroitins 4 and 6

sulfate (CS) on OA progression and symptoms. CS, unlike other

chondroitin sulfate products sold as dietary supplements in the U.S.,

has been approved as a prescription symptomatic slow acting drug for

OA in many European countries. The study was published in the February

issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism

(http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/76509746/home).

Led by Andre Kahan of the University of Paris Descartes in Paris, the

randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involved 622

patients with OA from France, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and the

U.S. Patients had knee X-rays at the time of enrollment and at 12, 18

and 24 months. The X-rays were evaluated for joint space loss and

patients were also assessed for OA symptoms and pain.

The results showed that " long-term administration of CS over 2 years

can prevent joint structure degradation in patients with knee OA, " the

authors state. Joint space loss was significantly reduced in the CS

group, fewer patients had progression of joint space width, and CS

reduced pain in those taking it compared to the placebo group. CS was

well-tolerated and there were no significant differences in the

frequency of adverse events between the two groups.

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Read the whole article here:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/588030

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