Nutramax Laboratories Consumer Care, Inc. has announced the presentation of a Bioibérica-sponsored study that found chondroitin sulfate was significantly superior to celecoxib at reducing cartilage loss with similar efficacy at reducing disease symptoms in knee osteoarthritis patients. The high-quality chondroitin sulfate used in the study is the same compound and dosage that is used in the glucosamine/chondroitin supplement, Cosamin®DS. The study findings were presented at the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in San Francisco, CA.
The double-blind, randomized, controlled, multicenter study was conducted over a 24-month period in which researchers observed and treated 194 patients with symptomatic primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) with either chondroitin sulfate (CS) (1,200 mg/day), or celecoxib (CE) (200 mg once daily). Three MRIs were performed throughout the study period to clinically evaluate disease progression, and validated questionnaires were used to assess symptoms. Researchers found that OA patients treated with CS had a reduction in cartilage volume loss (CVL) in the medial tibiofemoral compartment and global knee at 12 and 24 months, compared to those treated with CE. A marked reduction of 51% in the incidence of patients with joint swelling plus effusion was observed in the CS group versus a 39% reduction in the celecoxib group from baseline to 24 months. Reduction in visual analog scale (VAS) pain at 24 months for CS and CE was 48% and 55%, respectively, and 43% and 54% for WOMAC pain. The incidence of adverse events was similar in both treatment groups.
"This trial is the first of its kind to demonstrate the superiority of chondroitin sulfate in reducing the long-term progression of knee osteoarthritis structural changes," said Jean-Pierre Pelletier, M.D., lead study author and professor of medicine at the University of Montreal. "The study results have important implications for the long-term management of patients with knee OA. Moreover, it may help reduce the consumption of NSAIDs in these patients."
The study will also be a topic for discussion at a Bioibérica-sponsored CME symposium presented by prominent global experts in rheumatology and other specialty areas. The symposium program includes review of data from recent clinical literature on the effects of chondroitin sulfate and its potential clinical impact on knee OA management.
"This study reinforces our ongoing efforts to encourage physician review of new evidence that demonstrates the clinical benefits of high-quality CS. It is critical that high-quality ingredients be included in any glucosamine/chondroitin combination nutraceutical," said Dr. Brian Cornblatt, Medical Director of Nutramax Laboratories Consumer Care, Inc. "There is now more than 20 years of clinical and empirical evidence supporting the benefits of supplement use, prompting the need to review current clinical orthopedic guidelines on the use of high-quality supplements and their ability to impact patient outcomes."