Chondroitin

[Efficacy of chondroitin sulphate in the treatment of elderly patients with gonarthrosis and coxarthrosis]

[Article in Russian]

Lazebnik LB, Drozdov VN.

AIM: To study chondroitin sulphate (CS) efficacy, tolerance and response duration in elderly patients with osteoarthrosis (OA) with consideration of OA duration and stage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 97 patients aged 65-85 years with stage II-IV OA by Kellgren-Lawrence received CS treatment. The treatment efficacy was assessed by functional Lecken's index, pain intensity at walking and rest, general functional condition, need in nonsteroid anti-inflammatory (NSAI) drugs. Standardization was achieved with visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: Positive effects (pain relief, better functional parameters, lower intake of NSAI drugs) were more pronounced and stable in patients with OA stage 1 and 2. In OA of stage 3 and 4, a beneficial effect of a 6-month CS course was unstable. Side effects were at the level of mean statistics. CONCLUSION: CS (structum) is recommended for treatment of OA stage 1-4 by Kellgren-Lawrence. Duration of the treatment depends on severity of x-ray symptoms of the disease.

Publication Types:
· Clinical Trial

PMID: 16206609 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]