Glucosamine versus placebo--dead even.In one of the first clinical trials performed in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , glucosamine glucosamine /glu·co·sa·mine/ (gloo-ko´sah-men) an amino derivative of glucose, occurring in glycosaminoglycans and a variety of complex polysaccharides such as blood group substances. sulfate sulfate, chemical compound containing the sulfate (SO4) radical. Sulfates are salts or esters of sulfuric acid, H2SO4, formed by replacing one or both of the hydrogens with a metal (e.g., sodium) or a radical (e.g., ammonium or ethyl). failed to outperform a placebo for the treatment of osteoarthritis osteoarthritis or osteoarthrosis or degenerative joint disease Most common joint disorder, afflicting over 80% of those who reach age 70. It does not involve excessive inflammation and may have no symptoms, especially at first. . Nearly a hundred patients were randomly assigned in a double-blind trial of glucosamine (500 mg pills three times a day) or a placebo for two months. Participants were being treated for osteoarthritis of the knee prior to the study. Pain perception was measured at rest and while walking for baseline, 30 days, and 60 days. The results of the study showed no statistical difference between the two groups--glucosamine did no better than the placebo. This study is in contrast to results of a major review of the literature, which reported at least moderate effects in the control of arthritis pain, comparable to the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). The significance here is that the final word is not out on glucosamine for the treatment of arthritis, and this illustrates just how hard it is to prove that a medical treatment is truly effective. So many qualifiers and variables make indisputable answers very elusive. More research is needed before a definitive conclusion can be trusted. Until then, remember that significant side effects Side effects Effects of a proposed project on other parts of the firm. have not been reported, so if you hay found relief for your symptoms, glucosamine may still be a better bet than the regular use of NSAIDs, which can cause side effects. (Western Journal of Medicine, 2000, Vol. 172, pp. 91-95; Journal of the American Medical Association JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association is an international peer-reviewed general medical journal, published 48 times per year by the American Medical Association. JAMA is the most widely circulated medical journal in the world. , 2000, Vol. 283, No. 11, pp. 1483-1484) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion