【Abstract】 Objective To evaluate the results of glucosamine hydrochloride in the treatment of knee degenerativeosteoarthritis (DOA) . Methods From February 2006 to January 2007, 60 patients with knee DOA were treated with glucosaminehydrochloride,including 15 males and 45 females. The ages of patients ranged from 41 to 67 years with an average ageof 57.5 years. The disease course ranged from 6 months to 3 years. Oral glucosamine hydrochloride was given twice a day, each750 mg, for a 6-week course of treatment; another course of treatment was repeated after 4 months. After two courses of treatment,the international standard DOA score of Lequesne index was used to evaluate the rest of knee pain, sports pain, tenderness,joints activity, morning stiffness and walking abil ity. Results All 60 patients finished treatment, various cl inical symptomsfor DOA disappeared completely in 31 cases and subsided in 27 cases; the cure rate was 51.7% and the total response rate was96.7%. The scores of rest pain, sport pain, tenderness, joints activity, morning stiffness and the abil ity to walk for knee after treatmentwere 0.5±0.2,0.7±0.4,0.8±0.3,0.9±0.4,0.6±0.3 and 0.9±0.4, showing statistically significant differences (P lt; 0.01) whencompared with preoperation (1.6±0.5,2.1±0.4,2.2±0.5,1.8±0.6,1.7±0.4 and 2.0±0.4). Adverse effect occurred in 3 cases (5%)and the patients recovered without special treatment. Conclusion Glucosamine hydrochloride can cure knee DOA withsymptom-rel ieving and joint function-improving action.
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of glucosamine hydrochloride on chronic lumbago and backache. MethodsWe selected 328 outpatients with chronic lumbago and backache diagnosed between May 2014 and May 2015, and randomly (with single blind method) divided them into study group (n=172) and control group (n=156). Patients in the control group were treated with ibuprofen and placebo, while those in the study group were treated with ibuprofen and glucosamine hydrochloride. The short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) was used for investigation at three time points (before the treatment, one month and two months after the treatment). ResultsThe score of SF-MPQ in the study group was 64.34±23.35 before the treatment, 44.04±13.22 one month after the treatment, and 19.87±8.11 two months after the treatment. While in the control group, the results at those three time points were 65.19±24.12, 47.04±11.36, and 54.44±21.39, respectively. There was no obvious difference between the two groups one month after the treatment (P>0.05). The pain was alleviated in both of the two groups one month after the treatment, while the therapeutic effect in the study group was significantly better than that in the control group two months after the treatment (P<0.05). Archenteric complications were found in 3 patients (1.74%) in the study group and 2 (1.28%) in the control group without a significant difference (P>0.05). ConclusionGlucosamine hydrochloride may effectively alleviate the lumbago and backache without any obvious adverse reactions.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effect of glucosamine hydrochloride combined with Tenghuangjiangu tablets on knee osteoarthritis. MethodsFrom August 2012 to February 2014, 180 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly divided into three groups with 60 in each. Patients in group A were treated with glucosamine hydrochloride; patients in group B were treated with Tenghuangjiangu tablets; and patients in group C were treated with the combination of glucosamine hydrochloride and Tenghuangjiangu tablets. After the 12-week treatment, clinical efficacy and safety of the treatment were observed and compared with those before the treatment. ResultsThe twenty-meter walking pain, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the joint tenderness in the three groups 12 weeks after the treatment and 4 weeks after withdrawal improved obviously compared with those before the treatment (P<0.05), and the difference between the results of 12 weeks after treatment and 4 weeks after withdrawal was not significant (P>0.05). The improvement in group C was better than both group A and B with significant differences (P<0.05), while the difference between group A and B was not significant (P>0.05). There was no obvious abnormal routine blood and urine test result or damage of liver and lung functions during the treatment in all the three groups. Twelve weeks after treatment, six patients with abdominal ache were found in group A with an incidence of 10.0%; 5 abdominal ache and 2 diarrhea were in group B with a rate of 12.5%; and 4 abdominal ache and 3 diarrhea were in group C with a rate of 12.5%. All the patients completed the treatment. No significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions was found among the three groups (P>0.05). ConclusionThe therapeutic effect of combined glucosamine hydrochloride and Tenghuangjiangu tablets is obvious on knee osteoarthritis with low incidence of adverse reactions.
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacy of glucosamine hydrochloride and diacerein for patients with knee osteoarthritis and the MRI variation. MethodsBetween January and June 2014, 90 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomized into three groups: group A (treated by glucosamine hydrochloride), group B (treated by diacerein) and group C (treated by both glucosamine hydrochloride and diacerein). The score of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index of osteoarthritis, MRI cartilage injury Recht grading and the curative effects for bone marrow edema, joint cavity effusion and meniscus injury were compared before and after the treatment. ResultsThe scores of WOMAC after treatment in all the groups were improved, while the therapeutic effect of group C lasted longer when medical treatment suspended. The number of articular surface with different degrees of cartilage injury showed no statistically significant change in all three groups (P ＞ 0.05) . The state of bone marrow edema and joint cavity effusion were improved with a statistically significant difference in all groups (P ＜ 0.05) . Patients with lateral meniscus degeneration in group A and patients with medial meniscal tear in group B both increased with statistically significant differences (P ＜ 0.05) . However, in group C, patients with lateral meniscus degeneration or meniscal tear decreased with statistically significant differences (P ＜ 0.05) . ConclusionsThe treatment for osteoarthritis by glucosamine hydrochloride is effective, and the curative effect lasts longer when treated by both glucosamine hydrochloride and diacerein. Glucosamine hydrochloride ameliorates the bone marrow edema and joint cavity effusion. Treatment together with diacerein leads to a better therapeutic effect for patients with meniscus degeneration, yet further studies are needed to prove its effects in ameliorating cartilage injury.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of arthroscopic debridement combined with oral glucosamine hydrochloride tablets in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. MethodsSixty-two patients with knee osteoarthritis treated between January 2013 and April 2015 were chosen to be our research subjects. They were randomly divided into trial group (n=31) and control group (n=31). The control group was treated with arthroscopic debridement, and the trial group was given glucosamine hydrochloride tablets for treatment, apart from arthroscopic debridement. We evaluated the clinical effects by visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Lysholm knee joint function score before, and 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after surgery. ResultsOne week after surgery, the VAS score and Lysholm knee joint function score were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). Four weeks, 3 months and 6 months after surgery, the VAS score of the trial group was respectively 3.08±0.91, 2.46±0.87, and 1.45±0.66, and was 5.47±1.02, 3.55±1.20, and 2.37±0.53 in the control group; the Lysholm score of the trial group was 80.55±2.24, 85.35±1.79, and 89.74±4.58, respectively, and of the control group was 72.55±4.47, 74.68±2.94, and 76.69±5.63. The VAS score and the Lysholm score of the trial group were both better than those of the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionArthroscopic debridement can alleviate the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, and oral administration of glucosamine hydrochloride tablets after surgery has obvious effects.
ObjectiveTo assess the therapeutic effect of arthroscopic microfracture surgery combined with oral glucosamine hydrochloride on osteochondritis dissecans of the knee. MethodsBetween January 2014 and June 2015, 24 patients with osteochondritis dissecans of the knee ready to undergo arthroscopic microfracture surgery were divided into experimental group (odd surgery sequence numbers) treated with arthroscopic microfracture surgery combined with oral glucosamine hydrochloride (480 mg/time, 3 times per day, from the first day to 3 months after the surgery) and control group (even surgery sequence numbers) treated with arthroscopic microfracture surgery. All the patients were discharged from the hospital after one week of rehabilitation exercises with rehabilitation equipment of lower extremity. Follow-up lasted for at least 6 months. The therapeutic effects of the two methods were assessed according to Tegner scores for motor function of knee joint and United States New York specialty surgical hospital (HSS) scores. ResultsThe symptoms of knee joint was alleviated significantly after the operation. The function of knee joint was improved significantly after 6 weeks. Tegner and HSS scores before surgery were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). The Tegner scores were not significantly different between the two groups 6 weeks after surgery (P>0.05). The difference of Tegner scores were statistically significant between the two groups 12 and 24 weeks after surgery (P<0.05), and HSS scores of the experimental group improved better than the control group 6, 12 and 24 weeks after surgery, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). ConclusionThe short-term effect of arthroscopic microfracture surgery combined with oral glucosamine hydrochloride is better than that of arthroscopic microfracture surgery in the treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the knee.
ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy of self-behavior management combined with glucosamine hydrochloride for patients with early knee osteoarthritis. MethodsBetween October 2013 and March 2015, 240 patients with early knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to behavior therapy group (n=80) , drug treatment group (n=80) and combined treatment group (n=80) . Patients in the behavior therapy group were treated only by self-behavior management; patients in the drug treatment group were treated by glucosamine hydrochloride (0.48 g, three times per day); patients in the combined treatment group were treated by self-behavior management combined with glucosamine hydrochloride. The effect of treatment, adverse reactions, efficiency and expulsion rate were assessed 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment. ResultsThe Lequesne index and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) significantly decreased from week 4 when compared with week 0 after treatment in the combined treatment group, and there was a significant difference between the combined treatment group and single therapy group at week 8 and 12 (P ＜ 0.05) . The Lequesne index in the behavior therapy group and drug treatment group began to significantly decrease from week 8, and the WOMAC score significantly decreased from week 4 in the drug treatment group and from week 8 in the behavior therapy group. The efficiency increased with the treatment time prolonged in all three groups, but the efficiency in the combined treatment group was significantly higher than the single therapy group (P ＜ 0.05) . The shedding rates in the behavior therapy group, drug treatment group and combined treatment group were respectively 12.5%, 7.5% and 6.3%, without statistically significant difference (P ＞ 0.05) . The adverse reaction rate was low in all the three groups. ConclusionThe self-behavior management combined with glucosamine hydrochloride is an effective, safe and well-tolerated treatment for early knee osteoarthritis.
ObjectiveTo observe the therapeutic effect of electro-acupuncture combined with oral glucosamine hydrochloride capsules in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, and compare it with the curative effect of the two methods separately. MethodsA total of 168 patients with knee osteoarthritis treated from March 2006 to December 2012 were randomly divided into 3 groups. Electro-acupuncture combined with oral glucosamine hydrochloride capsules were given to the 58 patients in the treatment group, single acupuncture treatment was given to the 57 patients in control group A, and simple oral glucosamine hydrochloride capsules were given to the 53 patients in control group B. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks. Assessment of knee osteoarthritis by Lequesne international standard index number and the total efficiency was carried out before treatment and 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 6 months after treatment, respectively. ResultsThe total effective rate of the treatment group was 91.38%, of control group A was 68.42%, and of control group B was 79.25%. There was a significant difference between the treatment group and control group A, and between the treatment group and control group B (P<0.05). No blood, liver or kidney damage or gastrointestinal adverse reaction occurred among patients in all the three groups. ConclusionThe efficacy of electro-acupuncture plus oral glucosamine hydrochloride capsules is better than simple acupuncture and simple oral glucosamine hydrochloride capsules treatment.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical efficacy of glucosamine hydrochloride in the treatment of lumbar facet joint osteoarthritis, in order to provide the most appropriate treatment for lumbar facet joint osteoarthritis. MethodsA total of 120 patients with lumbar facet joint osteoarthritis and low back pain treated between August 2014 and August 2015 were randomly divided into three groups with 40 in each. Group A was treated with glucosamine hydrochloride; group B accepted loxoprofen-sodium; and group C was given glucosamine hydrochloride plus loxoprofen-sodium. The courses of treatment were all 8 weeks in the three groups. Follow-up lasted for 16 weeks. Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analogue score (VAS) of the patients were compared before treatment, 8 weeks after treatment, and 8 weeks after withdrawal. ResultsThree patients in group B gave up treatment due to upper gastrointestinal moderate pain after taking the drug. Another 12 patients in group B suffered from upper gastrointestinal mild discomfort, and the symptoms alleviated after accepting symptomatic treatment. There were no drug-related adverse reactions in group A and C. A total of 117 patients completed the 8-week treatment and were all followed up. Before treatment, the ODI scores and VAS scores were not significantly different among the groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the scores changed significantly in all the groups (P<0.05). At week 8 after treatment, the clinical efficacy in group B and C was superior to that in group A, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between group B and C (P>0.05). Eight weeks after withdrawal, the clinical efficacy in group A and C was better than that in group B, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between group A and C (P>0.05). ConclusionGlucosamine hydrochloride is effective for low back pain caused by lumbar facet joint osteoarthritis, which has no non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-related complications. It is worthy of clinical application.
Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of glucosamine hydrochloride and Chinese traditional medicine of angelicae pubescentis and loranthi decoction in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Methods We included 142 patients with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis treated between January 2014 and July 2015. The patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. The 72 patients in the treatment group received glucosamine hydrochloride, while the other 70 patients in the control group took oral Chinese medicine of angelicae pubescentis and loranthi decoction. The treatment course was one month. We observed the clinical curative effect of both the two groups. Results After the treatment, the difference in Visual Analogy Score (VAS) and Severity Index of Osteoarthritis (ISOA) in the two groups were significant compared with those before the treatment (P ＜ 0.05) . There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of VAS pain score, ISOA and treatment effectiveness (P ＜ 0.05) . Conclusion Glucosamine hydrochloride can obviously relieve knee osteoarthritis symptoms and improve knee function, which has a better curative effect than the traditional Chinese medicine of angelicae pubescentis and loranthi decoction.