Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate in the osteoarthritis treatment

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease of joint and one of the leading causes of disability among the elderly. Its most common clinical manifestations are pain, functional limitation, stiffness and joint effusion. The knee and the hip are among the most affected joints. Its produce the greatest disability and reduction in quality of life, generating serious health related impairment and negative social and economic impact. The therapeutic approach to the disease comprises non-pharmacological measures, drug therapy and in severe cases, joint replacement surgery. In recent years there has been an increase in the use of a group of drugs known as symptomatic slow-acting drugs for OA (SYSADOA), such as, chondroitin sulphate (CS) and glucosamine. They are natural components of articular cartilage and are used for the symptomatic treatment of OA, to reduce pain and to improve function. They have been postulated as potential disease-modifying, or chondroprotective drugs. The objective of this review was to summarize the results of several randomized controlled trials, meta-analyzes and systematic reviews to evaluate the current evidences to recommend or not the use of glucosamine and CS in the treatment of patients with OA. These molecules are well tolerated with rare secondary effects. In conclusion, contradictory data have also been reported in a fairly large number of studies, and thus the therapeutic efficacy of glucosamine and CS alone or in combination is considered a controversial issue. Future studies are needed in order to elucidate this matter.