Efficacy and safety evaluation of glucosamine hydrochloride in the treatment of osteoarthritis / 中华外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of glucosamine hydrochloride for the treatment of osteoarthritis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A multi-central, randomized, controlled clinical trial of glucosamine hydrochloride comparing glucosamine sulfate for the treatment of osteoarthritis was performed. One hundred and forty-three patients suffering from knee or hip osteoarthritis were randomized into study (glucosamine hydrochloride) or control (glucosamine sulfate) group. Patients in study group orally took glucosamine hydrochloride 2 times daily for 6 weeks, each time 1 capsule, and those in control group took glucosamine sulfate 3 times daily for 6 weeks also, each time 2 capsules.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The symptomatic improvement of joint pain at walking, at rest and stiffness after 6 week treatment with glucosamine hydrochloride was better than those with glucosamine sulfate. The results had significant difference (P < 0.05). Total effective rates of patients with glucosamine hydrochloride was 75.4% and 60.6% with glucosamine sulfate, but no statistical difference. The results suggested both glucosamine had the considerable efficacy in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Three cases in study group and 2 in control group reported mild adverse events. No severe adverse events (SAE) was observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Glucosamine hydrochloride is as effective and safe as glucosamine sulfate for the treatment of osteoarthritis.</p>