COMPARISON OF POLYSULFATED GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN AND SODIUM HYALURONATE WITH PLACEBO IN TREATMENT OF TRAUMATIC ARTHRITIS IN HORSES

A randomised double blind and placebo controlled clinical study was ca rried out, Standardbred trotters (n=77, age 3-4 years) with moderate t o severe lameness were grouped according to number of affected joints and, within each group, were randomised for treatment with polysulphat ed glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG), sodium hyaluronate (SH) or placebo for 3 weeks. The horses were inspected weekly with a final examination 2-4 weeks after the end of treatment. Mean initial lameness score was sign ificantly reduced during treatment and at the last examination in all 3 groups (P<0.01). Additionally, the prevalence of sound horses increa sed significantly from 1 to 3 weeks of treatment and to the last exami nation in all 3 groups (P less than or equal to 0.03), Comparison of t he 2 treatment groups with regard to development of the lameness curve and time until soundness indicated a small, non significant differenc e in favour of SH. No significant difference was detected between the 2 treatment groups in the prevalences or cumulative incidence of sound ness, The study detected a superior effect of the 2 drugs compared wit h placebo for reduction in lameness score during the treatment period (P=0.03) and the total study period (P<0.01), time until soundness (P= 0.04) and the prevalence of sound horses at the last examination (P<0. 01). All 3 treatments affected traumatic arthritis in horses, but the SH and PSGAG gave better results than the placebo.