Showiness or efficiency: what to choose?

Authors

  • D.G. Rekalov Zaporizhzhia State Medical University, Ukraine,
  • B.B. Samura Zaporizhzhia State Medical University, Ukraine,
  • R.L. Kulinich Zaporizhzhia State Medical University, Ukraine,
  • M.P. Kras’ko Zaporizhzhya Regional Clinical Hospital, Ukraine,
  • N.I. Kargals’ka Zaporizhzhya Regional Clinical Hospital, Ukraine,
  • V.V. Brylyova Zaporizhzhya Regional Clinical Hospital, Ukraine,

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14739/2310-1237.2013.2.17363

Keywords:

osteoarthritis, chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate, NSAIDs

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability in the world. Current treatment focuses on symptom relief and improving a patient's overall function. Pharmacological treatment’s aim is to correct symptomatic complaints as well as structural problems in osteoarthritis.

Ibuprofen is a non-selective cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor approved for the relief of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate have been linked as an optional treatment in osteoarthritis for several years. There is controversy, however, surrounding their use and efficacy. Despite conflicting results on the degree of efficacy, the most current research suggested that glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have the potential to provide pain-relieving benefits as well as possibly decrease the effects of joint space narrowing.

They are thought to act by affecting cytokine-mediated pathways regulating inflammation, cartilage degradation, and immune responses. Given the results of recent studies, investigators have begun to question whether the popular combination of glucosamine and chondroitin alleviates disease progression or pain in people with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. Reasons proposed for the lack of benefit include incorrect dosing, suboptimal compound manufacture, and a lack of complete understanding of when and how to apply the compounds. In addition, adjuvant medications also could augment the therapeutic potential of these agents. Although these agents are considered safe, some uncommon and minor adverse effects have been reported.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to examine the effectiveness and safety of combination of ibuprofen, glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate in patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis. 

METHODS: 80 subjects (32 males and 48 females) were enrolled into the study. 39 patients were treated with combination of glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate and ibuprofen (first group), and 41 patients were treated with acetaminophen (second group). Clinical outcomes were measured using the knee osteoarthritis measure for symptoms and a study diary-based visual analog scale for pain at baseline and during treatment period.

RESULTS: The results showed that pain was significantly decreased in patients of first group (62,5%). However, it was shown no significant differences in patients of second group.

CONCLUSIONS: It was set that application of  glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate and ibuprofen in a standard dose does not only allows to obtain a rapid positive dynamics in regarding to a pain syndrome, joint stiffness in this category of patients but also to forecast similar results on subsequent stages. Efficiency of glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate and ibuprofen combination was set in the patients of senior age-dependent group, and also with high type of safety.

Adverse reactions were similar among treatment groups and serious adverse events were rare for all treatments.

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Published

2013-10-01

How to Cite

1.
Rekalov D, Samura B, Kulinich R, Kras’ko M, Kargals’ka N, Brylyova V. Showiness or efficiency: what to choose?. Pathologia [Internet]. 2013Oct.1 [cited 2024Apr.20];(2). Available from: http://pat.zsmu.edu.ua/article/view/17363

Issue

Section

Original research