Published March, 2003 in the Journal of Rheumatology

A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial of a Topical Cream Containing Glucosamine Sulfate, Chondroitin Sulfate, and Camphor for Osteoarthritis of the Knee
MARC COHEN, RORY WOLFE, TRUDY MAI, and DANIEL LEWIS

ABSTRACT.

Objective. To assess the ability of a topical preparation of glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate to reduce pain related to osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.

Methods. Sixty-three patients were randomized to receive either a topical glucosamine and chondroitin preparation or placebo to be used as required over an 8 week period. Efficacy was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain as well as the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the SF-36 questionnaire.

Results. VAS scores indicated a greater mean reduction in pain for the glucosamine/chondroitin preparation group (mean change -3.4 cm, SD 2.6 cm) compared to the placebo group (mean change -1.6 cm, SD 2.7 cm) after 8 weeks. After 4 weeks the difference between active and placebo groups in their mean reduction from baseline was 1.2 (95% CI 0.1 to 2.4, p = 0.03) and after 8 weeks was 1.8 (95% CI for difference between groups, 0.6 to 2.9 cm; p = 0.002).

Conclusion. Topical application of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate is effective in relieving the pain from OA of the knee and improvement is evident within 4 weeks. (J Rheumatol 2003;30:523-8)

Key Indexing Terms:

OSTEOARTHRITIS
GLUCOSAMINE
CHONDROITIN
SHARK CARTILAGE
PAIN
KNEE

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From the Department of Complementary Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora; and Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and the Centre for Complementary Medicine, Monash Institute of Health Services Research Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
Supported by grants from Nutrasense Australia Pty. Ltd. and Smart Science Laboratories Inc.

M.M. Cohen, MBBS (Hons), Professor and Head, Department of Complementary Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, RMIT University; R. Wolfe, PhD, Biostatistician, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University; T.A. Mai, BSc, Research Assistant; D. Lewis, FRACP, Rheumatologist, Centre for Complementary Medicine, Monash Institute of Health Services Research, Monash University.

Address reprint requests to Prof. M. Cohen, Department of Complementary Medicine, RMIT University, PO Box 71, Bundoora 3083 VIC, Australia. E-mail: marc.cohen@rmit.edu.au