Clinical effectiveness and tolerability of UC-II, sodium hyaluronate, and curcumin in osteoarthritis of the knee – CAPE Study: A multicentre, Prospective, real-world evidence study

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that results in the breakdown of cartilage, causing pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion in the affected joints. It is a common form of arthritis, particularly in older adults. Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) is a nutritional supplement which has been found to be effective in treating OA. Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of UC-II, sodium hyaluronate, and curcumin in treating knee OA. Materials and Methods: 813 patients with knee OA were enrolled in the study. Subjects received a capsule containing 40 mg UC-II, 80 mg sodium hyaluronate and 200 mg curcumin once daily for three months. The Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) evaluated pain, joint stiffness, and physical functions. A Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to assess the severity of the initial pain. Moreover, clinical symptom scores and patient and physician global assessments were evaluated. The patients were assessed before the treatment and three months after the initiation of the treatment. Results: The WOMAC scores for pain, stiffness, and function, as well as the VAS score, were significantly improved (P< 0.05) in subjects after three months compared to the baseline. There was a 73.51% improvement in the total WOMAC scores and a 69.92% improvement in the VAS scores. There was a significant reduction in clinical symptoms, and global assessments of treatment by patients and physicians based on overall efficacy were favourable after the three-month treatment. Conclusion : The study showed that UC-II, sodium hyaluronate and curcumin in combination effectively improve the symptoms of OA and should be positively considered for the symptomatic management of OA.