[Efficacy of glucosamine sulfate treatment in patients with osteoarthritis]

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common disorder of human movement system. Glucosamine sulfate, which is precursor of glucosamineglycans synthesis, plays a special role among known disease modifying drugs.

To assess the efficacy of treatment of OA patients with glucosamine sulfate (Artreum).

50 patients with OA of the knees (38 pts) or hips (12 pts) entered into study (41 women, 9 men, aged 50-83 yr.). 47 patients completed the study (39 women, 9 men). All patients have been treated with 500 mg of Arthreum three times daily for 12 weeks. All patients had to complete 3 visits during the study that contains of physical examination, WOMAC questionnaire, Lequesne questionnaire and self pain assessment with visual analog scale (VAS). ESR, morphology, glucose and creatinine concentration, amionotransferases activity were also evaluated.

We found the significant improvement during treatment in 38 (80.85%) pts. as measured by WOMAC scale and in 36 (70.60%) as measured by Lequesne'a scale. Self assessed pain improved in 35 (74%) of patients. The efficacy of the treatment was characterized as "good" by 60% of patients, and it was similar to physician assessment (Cohen's kappa coefficient of agreement = 0.9359). No clinically significant adverse events were observed.

In this study we found that Arthreum treatment causes significant improvement in functional status and pain measured by WOMAC, Lequesne'a and VAS scale in OA patients, and is well tolerated.