Role of glucosamine in osteoarthritis

SummaryLong-term follow-up studies on the effects of glucosamine preparations are still awaited. At present, only short-term results are available. They are known to relieve pain and decrease the rate of joint space narrowing clinically in osteoarthritis of knee, whilst the side effects are less when compared to the anti-inflammatory drugs and even placebos. It is probably safe – but there is no good evidence that it works. It would be ideal to have a medication that is a normal constituent of the human cartilage, which modifies the natural history of the disease. It is possible that long-term clinical studies with glucosamine may result in modifications to the indications for joint surgery or the time patients can live with osteoarthritis before developing substantial disability.