Structure-modifying effects of chondroitin sulfate in knee osteoarthritis: an updated meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials of 2-year duration.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To update a published meta-analysis of double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to assess the efficacy of chondroitin sulfate as a structure-modifying drug for knee osteoarthritis (OA).

DESIGN:

A published meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was updated to include data from one new trial and final data from a second trial both published recently in peer-reviewed literature. This meta-analysis was limited to three RCTs of 2-year duration. Data were pooled using a fixed effects model as there was no evidence of important heterogeneity.

RESULTS:

Pooled results demonstrated a small significant effect of chondroitin sulfate on the reduction in rate of decline in minimum joint space width of 0.13 mm [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06, 0.19] (P=0.0002) that corresponded to an effect size of 0.23 (95% CI 0.11, 0.35) (P=0.0001).

CONCLUSION:

These results demonstrate that chondroitin sulfate is effective for reducing the rate of decline in minimum joint space width in patients with knee OA.

• Authors: M C Hochberg
• Journal: Osteoarthritis and cartilage (Osteoarthritis Cartilage) Vol. 18 Suppl 1 Pg. S28-31 (Jun 2010) ISSN: 1522-9653 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20399895 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright 2010 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Chondroitin Sulfates

Topics

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (therapeutic use)
• Chondroitin Sulfates (therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Osteoarthritis, Knee (drug therapy, pathology)
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic