In a two-year study, researchers found chondroitin sulfate outperformed the COX-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent celecoxib for the long-term management of knee osteoarthritis patients, according to Practical Pain Management.
Patients received either high-dose chondroitin sulfate or celecoxib. They underwent MRI at baseline and then at 12 months and 24 months. Researchers measured cartilage volume loss, bone marrow lesion size and synovial membrane thickness using a MRI and then evaluated the presence of joint swelling and effusion.
Here are five findings:
1. Patients receiving chondroitin sulfate had less cartilage volume at 12 months, compared to celecoxib patients.
2. Between the two treatment groups over the study period, the study found no differences in synovial thickness or bone marrow lesion size.
3. Researchers noted a reduction in the incidence of joint swelling plus effusion in both the chondroitin (51 percent) and celecoxib (39 percent) groups from baseline to 24 months.
4. Celecoxib was found to be better at reducing pain, with a reduction in Visual Analog Pain scores of 55 percent at 24 months, compared to chondroitin sulfate (48 percent).
5. Patients in the celecoxib group had a 54 percent reduction in The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index scores at 24 months. The chondroitin sulfate group had a 43 percent reduction. The incidence of adverse events was similar between the treatment groups.
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