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Meta-analysis of RCTs: No evidence to back glucosamine for hip, knee OA
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Researchers of this recently published analysis found “no good evidence” to support the use of glucosamine for patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis.
“[Currently], there is no evidence to support the use of glucosamine for treatment of hip or knee [osteoarthritis] OA or for type of glucosamine for treatment of hip or knee OA in general and an absence of evidence to support the use of glucosamine for clinically relevant subgroups of OA according to baseline pain severity, BMI, sex, structural abnormalities and presence of inflammation,” the researchers wrote.
Investigators assessed five, randomized controlled trials that compared glucosamine with placebo, which included 1,625 patients. Regarding pain and function, researchers found glucosamine was no better than placebo at both 3 months and 24 months of follow-up. Among predefined subgroups, glucosamine remained no better than placebo. In addition, researchers found stratification by knee OA and glucosamine type did not change the results of the study. – by Will Offit
Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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