Glucosamine/chondroitin combined with exercise for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a preliminary study

Objective: This preliminary study sought to determine whether using 1500/1200 mg of glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate (GH/ CS) is effective, both separately and combined with exercise, compared to a placebo plus exercise program in improving physical function, pain, strength, balance, and mobility in older adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial lasted 12 months. Participants included 89 older adults (age > 50 years) with knee OA randomized to either GH/CS or placebo group. Phase I was a 6-month trial comparing the effects of assignment to either GH/CS or placebo. Phase II added 6 months of exercise for both groups. The primary outcome measure was Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) function, and secondary outcome measures included WOMAC pain, 6-min walk, balance, and knee strength. Results: Of the 89 randomized participants, 72 (81 %) completed the study. The median pill compliance was 94% and 95% in Phase 1, and, in Phase II, 97% and 91 % for the GH/CS and placebo groups, respectively. Median exercise compliance during Phase II was 77% for the GH/CS group and 78% for the placebo group. WOMAC function and pain did not differ significantly between the groups at 6- or 12-month follow-up. There were also no significant differences between the groups in 6-min walk or knee strength; however, balance was better in the placebo group with approximately a 10% difference compared to the GH/CS group. Conclusions: The GH/CS group was not superior to the placebo group in function, pain, or mobility after both phases of the intervention (pill only and pill plus exercise). (c) 2007 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.