To evaluate the efficacy and safety of glucosamine hydrochloride (GH) in the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) comparing with glucosamine sulfate (GS).
A multi-central, randomized, parallel-controlled clinical trial of GH vs GS was performed. 142 patients suffering from knee OA were randomized into 2 groups, treated with GH and GS for 480 mg and 500 mg one time respectively. Patients received medicine 3 times daily with total 1440 mg per day for GH group and 1500 mg for GS group, orally for 4 weeks and were assessed for drug efficacy and safety for 2 more weeks. Knee pain at rest, at movement and at pressure, knee swelling, morning stiffness and walking ability were recorded at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 week according to Lequesne's criteria. Other features such as therapeutic efficacy, adverse events and laboratory parameters were also recorded.
A considerable improvement in OA symptoms and a reduce of total Lequesne's score were observed in both groups after the 4-week treatment. The Lequesne's score decreased to 3.4 +/- 1.9 (P < 0.05) and 3.4 +/- 1.8 (P < 0.05) after 4-week treatment comparing to 0-week in the GH (9.4 +/- 1.8) group and GS (9.5 +/- 1.4) group respectively. There was no significant difference between 2 groups in decreasing the Lequesne's score (P > 0.05). The symptomatic improvement rates in patients were 91.4% and 90.0% at 4-week treatment in the GH and GS group respectively (P > 0.05). There was a remnant therapeutic effect in both groups at 2 weeks after discontinuation of the treatment. And 4.2% (3/71) of patients on GH reported adverse events, vs 7.0% (5/71) adverse events with GS group (P > 0.05), mainly mild stomach discomfort and constipation.
There were no significant differences in efficacy and safety between GH and GS groups in the treatment of knee OA. Glucosamine hydrochloride is as effective and safe as glucosamine sulfate.