Efficacy of a combination of FCHG49™ glucosamine hydrochloride, TRH122™ low molecular weight sodium chondroitin sulfate and manganese ascorbate in the management of knee osteoarthritis

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the oral combination of glucosamine HCl, sodium chondroitin sulfate and manganese ascorbate for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Design: A randomized placebo-controlled study design was implemented. We recruited 93 patients with OA of the knee from a single center. The intervention group received 1000 mg FCHG49(TM) glucosamine HCl, 800 mg TRH122(TM) low molecular weight sodium chondroitin sulfate and 152 mg manganese ascorbate twice daily (Cosamin(R)DS). Patients were evaluated initially and then every 2 months for 6 months. The primary outcome was the Lesquene Index of severity of osteoarthritis of the knee (ISK). Results: Patients with radiographically mild or moderate OA (N=72) in the intervention group showed significant improvement in the ISK at 4 and 6 months (P=0.003 and P=0.04, respectively). The response rate to the medication was 52% vs a 28% response rate to placebo. Patients with radiographically severe osteoarthritis (N=21) did not show significant improvements in the ISK. There was a 17% incidence of adverse events in the intervention group and 19% in the placebo group. Conclusions: The studied combination of glucosamine HCl, sodium chondroitin sulfate and manganese ascorbate was found to be effective for the treatment of radiographically mild to moderate OA of the knee as measured by the ISK. This is the first U.S. study of these agents. (C) 2000 OsteoArthritis Research Society International.