Researchers Claim Arthritis Supplements Have No Effect

Researchers Claim Arthritis Supplements Have NoTheir research said that in 2008, global sales of
Effectglucosamine supplements reached almost $2 billion.
Doctors should be discouraged from prescribing twoThe team reviewed 10 previously published trials and
popular supplements, glucosamine and chondroitin, forassessed the data on changes in levels of pain after
osteoarthritic hips and knees, which is found from thepatients took glucosamine, chondroitin, or a combination.
research works of Prof.Peter Juni and his colleagues "Compared with placebo, glucosamine, chondroitin, and
at the University of Bern, in Switzerland.their combination do not reduce joint pain or have an
According to a study conducted by Swiss scientists,impact on narrowing of joint space," they wrote.
two supplements taken by millions of people aroundThe team said that despite their findings, some patients
the globe for joint pain do not work and healthremained convinced that the supplements work.
authorities or insurers should not pay for the drugs.Clinical trials of glucosamine and chondroitin - either
The supplements, glucosamine and chondroitin, aretaken together or separately -have failed to
either taken on their own or in combination to helpdemonstrate a clinically significant benefit for patients
reduce the pain that is caused by osteoarthritis in thewith knee or hip osteoarthritis, a meta-analysis found.
hips and knees.Pooled data from 10 placebo-controlled trials of the
However, Swiss researchers found that there waspopular supplements that included more than 3,000
"no clinically relevant effect" of chondroitin orpatients indicated there were statistically significant --
glucosamine on joint pain.but clinically meaningless -- improvements in patients'
The Swiss study involved 3,803 patients with knee orreports of joint pain, according to Peter Jüni, MD, of
hip osteoarthritis.the University of Bern in Switzerland, and colleagues
"Health authorities and health insurers should not coveronline in BMJ.
the costs for these preparations, and newThe more objective measurement of joint space
prescriptions to patients who have not receivednarrowing also was not significantly improved with
treatment should be discouraged," Prof. Peter Juni,glucosamine or chondroitin, the researchers found.
Head of the Institute of Social and Preventive MedicineMoreover, when benefits were found, they tended to
at the University of Bern in Switzerland, and hisbe in industry-funded trials as opposed to those
colleagues, whose study was published in the Britishwithout commercial sponsorship, Jüni and colleagues
Medical Journal on Friday 18,2010- reported Reuters.indicated.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and"Our findings indicate that glucosamine, chondroitin, and
is one of the leading causes of chronic disability in thetheir combination do not result in a relevant reduction
U.S.  The disease affects about eight million people inof joint pain nor affect joint space narrowing
Britain and about 27 million in the U.S.compared with placebo," they concluded.
It is a chronic condition that is treated with painkillersOn the other hand, they found no evidence that the
and anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen. supplements had any adverse effects.
Some of these drugs can cause stomach and heart"We see no harm in having patients continue these
problems, particularly if they are used for long periods.preparations as long as they perceive a benefit and
According to the researchers, doctors and specialistscover the costs of treatment themselves," Jüni and
have increasingly prescribed glucosamine andcolleagues wrote, as long as the supplements don't
chondroitin to their patients in the past decade.take the place of remedies with demonstrable benefit.