Utilidad del condroitín sulfato en el tratamiento de la artrosis de manos

Abstract

Treatment of hand ostearthritis is currently insufficient. Education programs, acetanomiphen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and capsaicin are used. There is lack of studies concerning chondrointin sulphate in the treatment of hand osteoarthritis.

The present study examines the usefulness of chondroitin sulphate in the treatment of hand osteoarthritis.

The study was randomized, double blind and placebo controlled. All patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. One hundred sixty patients were recruited and randomized in 2 arms : 82 patients received placebo and 80 patients chondroitin sulphate. Primary end points were visual analogue scale and functional index. Secondary end points were hand strength, morning stiffness, investigator's opinion and weekly consume of acatanomiphen. Duration of the study was 6 months. At the end of the study there was a significant difference between the group treated with chondroitin sulphate and placebo in visual analogue scale (VAS 2.14; p = 0.008),functional index (FIHOA:2.14; p = 0.008), morning stiffness (difference 5’1 minutes; p = 0.031) and investigators opinion (44% versus 33%; p = 0.043). Adverse reactions were similar between both groups.

The authors emphasize the usefulness of chondroitin sulphate in the treatment of hand osteoarthritis and the safety profile of the drug