SAN ANTONIO — Glucosamine appears superior to many other osteoarthritis agents in reducing pain and disability, according to the findings of a 5-year observational study.
Among 1,376 patients with osteoarthritis, those who took glucosamine consistently had Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index scores that were a mean 1.8 points lower than the scores of similar patients not taking glucosamine, Elizabeth Badley, Ph.D., reported at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.
At baseline, 9% of participants were using glucosamine, 42% were using NSAIDs, 62% were taking other pain medications, 2% were using steroid injections, 50% were using walking aids, and 92% were using lower-extremity devices.
Compared with glucosamine, none of the other treatments was associated with comparable improvements in WOMAC scores, which reflect disability and pain based on responses to a 24-item questionnaire, said Dr. Badley, director of the arthritis community research and evaluation unit at the University of Toronto.
All patients had knee or hip osteoarthritis, and their mean age at baseline was 72 years.
By the end of the 5-year period, 17% of patients were taking glucosamine. No dosage information was available.
“Whether it was the glucosamine or whether it was the people who take glucosamine, we don't know,” Dr. Badley said in an interview. “But clearly, we need to investigate this finding further.”
Some of the other factors associated with the lower WOMAC scores included younger age, higher level of education, and male gender. The men's WOMAC scores were on average 4 points lower than those of women with similar demographic profiles and treatments.
Dr. Badley reported no financial interest in glucosamine or in companies that manufacture the dietary supplement.