EFFICACY AND TOLERABILITY OF CHONDROITIN SULFATE 1200 MG DAY VS CHONDROITIN SULFATE 3 X 400 MG/DAY VS PLACEBO/

This multicenter randomized, double-blind, controlled study was perfor med to compare the efficacy and tolerability of chondroitin sulfate (C S, Condrosulf(R), IBSA, Lugano, CH) 1200 mg/day oral gel vs CS 3 x 400 mg/day capsules vs placebo, in patients with mono or bilateral knee o steoarthritis (Kellgren and Lawrence radiographic score grade I to III ). A total of 127 patients, 40 of whom were treated with CS 1200 mg/da y, 43 with CS 3 x 400 mg/day and 44 with placebo, were included in the statistical analysis of this 3-month treatment study. In the CS group s, Lequesne's Index and spontaneous joint pain (VAS) showed a signific ant reduction of clinical symptoms (P < 0.01 for both parameters), whi le only a slight reduction was observed in the placebo group (P = ns f or Lequesne's Index and P < 0.05 for VAS). The physician's and patient 's overall efficacy assessments were significantly in favour of the CS groups (P < 0.01). The treatment carried out with the three formulati ons was very well tolerated. In conclusion, these results indicate tha t CS favours the improvement of the subjective symptoms, improving the joint mobility. An additional consideration is that the efficacy of 1 200 mg CS as a single daily dose does not differ from that of 3 x 400 mg daily doses of CS for all the clinical parameters taken into consid eration.