Evaluation of tolerability and efficacy of glucosamine with chondroitin in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis – a double blind multicentre randomized prospective comparative study.

There are few comparative studies conducted with glucosamine [GlcN1 (glucosamine sulfate with potassium chloride), GlcN2 (glucosamine sulfate plus chondroitin sulfate) along with ChoN3 (chondroitin sulfate alone)] in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. In this study the treated groups were studied for alleviation of pain and joint stiffness with correlation of measurement of urinary pyridinium cross links such as pyridinoline (Pyr) and deoxypyridinoline (Dpyr). Hence, this study was eventually planned to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of glucosamine with chondroitin sulfate treated groups. Urinary pyridinium crosslinks such as Pyr and Dpyr measurement are used to monitor the clinical status as well as bone turnover of OA patients. These two collagen crosslinks measured in urine, which provides information both on the pathogenesis of OA as well as the rate of bone turnover. The results of this study suggest that GlcN2 and ChoN3 can relieve pain, improving functional ability and joint mobility so as to enhance the quality of life for osteoarthritis patients.