Chondroitin for osteoarthritis
Singh JA, Noorbaloochi S, MacDonald R, Maxwell LJ
Published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Methodology
Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis of 43 randomized trials of oral chondroitin alone or with glucosamine in osteoarthritis.
Key Findings
Chondroitin produced a small, statistically significant reduction in pain versus placebo in short-term trials, but the effect shrank in larger, higher-quality trials; quality of evidence was low.
Conclusions
Chondroitin gives a small pain benefit of uncertain clinical importance, with a safety profile similar to placebo.
Limitations
Low-quality evidence, high heterogeneity, many small industry-funded trials, likely publication bias.
Supplements Studied
Chondroitin produced a small reduction in pain versus placebo, but the effect shrank in larger, higher-quality trials and the evidence was low quality.
Outcomes Measured
Chondroitin produced a small reduction in pain versus placebo in osteoarthritis trials.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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