CHONDROITIN SULFATE MAY QUALIFY AS A DISEASE MODIFYING DRUG.

Beat A. Michel, MD, et al., conducted a study to determine whether chondroitin sulfate is effective in inhibiting cartilage loss in knee osteoarthritis. In this randomized, double-blind placebo- controlled trial, 300 patients with knee OA were recruited and assigned to receive either 800 mg of chondroitin or a placebo once daily for 2 years. The 150 patients receiving placebo had progressive joint space narrowing while the 150 patients taking chrondroitin had no change in mean joint space width. The differences in loss of joint space between the two groups were significant and the chondroitin sulfate was well-tolerated. The authors concluded that long-term treatment with chondroitin sulfate may control the progression of the disease in patients with OA of the knee. It was also concluded that chondroitin sulfate qualifies as a Disease Modifying Drug for the treatment of osteoarthritis and is especially active in overweight patients, patients under 60 years of age and patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis. (Michel, B.A., Stucki, G., et al., “Chondroitins 4 and 6 sulfate in osteoarthritis of the knee: A randomized, controlled trial.” Arthritis & Rheumatism. 2005;52(3):779-786.)