Dutch researchers at the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam compared the benefits of glucosamine to a placebo in 222 people who had mild to moderate hip arthritis. The study assigned half the patients to receive 1,500 milligrams of glucosamine every day for two years. The other half were assigned to receive a placebo.

Researchers measured pain and function of the affected joints at the beginning to the study and followed up with the same every three months until the conclusion. Glucosamine did not have any appreciable effect in reducing pain or improving function in patients with osteoarthritis.

X-rays of the hip joints taken at the start and end of the study also showed no improvement. "For these patients with hip osteoarthritis, glucosamine sulfate does not seem to be an effective treatment on the basis of our results," said lead author Rianne Rozendaal.

The details are reported in the February 19 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

An earlier study by Swiss researchers appearing in the April 17, 2007 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine had revealed that another popular supplement chondroitin was also of limited use in treating osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive disease of the joints most often involving the hip and the knee joints. Also called "wear and tear" arthritis, it affects people in middle age. Factors like obesity, injury to a joint and family history also influence the development of osteoarthritis.

Common symptoms are swelling and stiffness in the affected joint, loss of free motion and weakness. In arthritis there is a loss of cartilage, meaning the shock absorber effect is lost. This leads to inflammation and subsequently intense pain.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that arthritis is a major cause of disability in the United States. While lifestyle changes and exercise are seen to be beneficial in alleviating the pain, there are no medical remedies to speak of. Perhaps that is why nutritional supplements are welcomed by such patients.

In combination with glucosamine, chondroitin tops the dietary supplement market in the United States with estimated sales of over $1 billion. However if results of the above study are true, these have little or no effect. As always arthritis patients are advised to consult with their doctor on how best to manage their condition. Dietary supplements if recommended may also prove useful.
 

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