We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis from randomized controlled trials to examine the efficacy and safety of avocado-soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) in patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched for randomized placebo-controlled trials.
Original studies were randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluating the effect of orally administered ASU on knee or hip OA symptoms using the Lequesne index, visual analog scale (VAS) and/or joint space width (JSW).
Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model and generic inverse variance method. Heterogeneity was tested using the I
Avocado-soybean unsaponifiables therapy had a significant reduction on pain by VAS assessment (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -9.64 mm, 95% CI: -17.43, -1.84; P = .02; I
Results of this meta-analysis suggest a beneficial effect of ASU treatment in symptomatic knee OA but not in hip OA. Additionally, adverse events were similar in patients receiving ASU therapy or placebo.