PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Cohen, Marc
AU  - Wolfe, Rory
AU  - Mai, Trudy
AU  - Lewis, Daniel
TI  - A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial of a topical cream containing glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and camphor for osteoarthritis of the knee.
DP  - 2003 Mar 01
TA  - The Journal of Rheumatology
PG  - 523--528
VI  - 30
IP  - 3
4099  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/30/3/523.short
4100  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/30/3/523.full
SO  - J Rheumatol2003 Mar 01; 30
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of a topical preparation of glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate to reduce pain related to osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. METHODS: Sixty-three patients were randomized to receive either a topical glucosamine and chondroitin preparation or placebo to be used as required over an 8 week period. Efficacy was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain as well as the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the SF-36 questionnaire. RESULTS: VAS scores indicated a greater mean reduction in pain for the glucosamine/chondroitin preparation group (mean change -3.4 cm, SD 2.6 cm) compared to the placebo group (mean change -1.6 cm, SD 2.7 cm) after 8 weeks. After 4 weeks the difference between active and placebo groups in their mean reduction from baseline was 1.2 (95% CI 0.1 to 2.4, p = 0.03) and after 8 weeks was 1.8 (95% CI for difference between groups, 0.6 to 2.9 cm; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Topical application of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate is effective in relieving the pain from OA of the knee and improvement is evident within 4 weeks.