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Arthritis Foundation Statement on the Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial

Posted on: Monday, 14 November 2005, 09:00 CST

ATLANTA, Nov. 14 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Following is the Arthritis Foundation's statement on the Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial:

Summary

The Arthritis Foundation believes that the most rigorous clinical trial to date assessing the effects of glucosamine and chondroitin in painful knee osteoarthritis (OA) helps to clarify the role that these supplements play in treatment. According to the Arthritis Foundation, the research demonstrates that the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin may be a beneficial part of an overall treatment plan in individuals with moderate to severe knee OA.

Full Statement

Over the past decade, the dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin have been widely promoted as an effective form of treatment to relieve the pain associated with knee OA, one of the most prevalent and disabling forms of arthritis. As the population ages and prevalence of arthritis surges, millions of people are seeking effective treatments that will enable them to maintain their quality of life without debilitating pain from arthritis.

The Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) - - the most comprehensive clinical trial of these agents to date -- is a landmark study that helps define the role of glucosamine/ chondroitin in the treatment of knee OA. Results from GAIT will be presented on Monday, Nov. 14 at the opening plenary session of the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in San Diego.

Funded by the National Institutes of Health and conducted at 16 U.S. rheumatology centers, GAIT was designed to rigorously evaluate the efficacy and safety of these agents alone and in combination. The study measured the effects of taking glucosamine alone, chondroitin alone, a glucosamine/chondroitin combination or celecoxib alone against placebo in 1,258 people with mild or moderate-to-severe pain from knee OA. Results suggest that the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin is better than placebo; however, the benefits appear to depend on pain severity:

-- In people with moderate-to-severe knee OA pain, 79.2 percent taking the glucosamine and chondroitin combination experienced pain relief compared with 69.4 percent taking celecoxib, 65.7 percent taking glucosamine alone, 61.4 percent taking chondroitin alone and 54.3 percent taking placebo.

-- In subjects with mild knee OA pain, the glucosamine and chondroitin combination did not show effectiveness over placebo (62.9 percent responded to the combination; 61.7 percent responded to placebo). Researchers believe the lack of response in patients with mild pain may be due to a floor effect, limiting their ability to detect a response.

-- All study agents were well tolerated. Adverse events were generally mild and evenly distributed among the groups.

The Arthritis Foundation believes that, based on the findings from this study and the supplements' safety and cost- effectiveness, the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin should be considered by patients and physicians as part of an overall treatment plan for painful knee OA. Further research is needed to determine exactly how glucosamine and chondroitin work, as well as the possible effectiveness of these supplements on limiting the progression of cartilage damage.

Results of a similar European trial of dietary supplements also will be presented at the ACR meeting. The second trial, Glucosamine Unum in Die Efficacy (GUIDE), measured the effects of glucosamine versus acetaminophen, the current first-line therapy for mild to moderate OA, in 318 patients with knee OA. Results showed that glucosamine significantly relieved pain better than acetaminophen or placebo.

Consumer Recommendations

Before trying glucosamine/chondroitin, the Arthritis Foundation recommends that people speak with their doctor about how the supplement fits within a comprehensive treatment plan, which also may include appropriate medications, exercise, weight control, and in some cases, even joint surgery. The Arthritis Foundation recommends the following regarding the use of dietary supplements for the management of arthritis:

Stay on your other medications. Supplements should be taken along with your current medication(s), and not be considered as replacements for known and effective therapies. Quitting some medications abruptly can cause problems; quitting others can cause your condition or symptoms to worsen.

Do your research. Learn as much as you can about the supplement you are considering. Find evidence that the supplement is effective in arthritis. Learn about its known side effects and potential interaction with other supplements or medications. Seek reliable sources of information, such as your doctor, pharmacist, scientific studies, etc.

Consult your doctor. There are more than 100 types of arthritis. Some supplements, like glucosamine/chondroitin, are helpful for specific types of arthritis. Find out what type of arthritis you have and talk to your doctor about supplements you are considering. Ask for advice and help in monitoring the effects.

Ask your doctor about dosage. If you decide to take glucosamine/ chondroitin or other supplements, follow the directions specified by the manufacturer or consult your doctor about the proper dosage.

Avoid combining supplements. Avoid taking multiple supplements because you can't be certain which supplement may be helping or which may be harming.

Stick with a reputable manufacturer. Choose products sold by large, well-established companies. If you don't recognize a brand name, ask about the company's reputation, how long it has been in the business and how long the store has stocked the brand.

For more information about arthritis and supplements, and a free copy of the Arthritis Today Supplement & Vitamin Guide, contact the Arthritis Foundation at 800-568-4045 or on the Web at http:// www.arthritis.org.

Editor's Note: Arthritis Foundation experts will be on site at the American College of Rheumatology Meeting in San Diego November 14-16 to provide perspective on what this and other research studies mean for people with arthritis. To schedule an interview, contact Lynne Unglo at 770-401-1222 or Ken Durden at 404-965-7802.

http://www.usnewswire.com

Source: U.S. Newswire

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