* The authors of this study reviewed all the literature they could locate published between 1980 and 2005 on the use of glucosamine for arthritis.
* The difference in products featured in the studies made the comparison difficult and one clear result was that not all glucosamine products give a beneficial result.
* The authors concluded that the most consistently beneficial results for arthritis of the knee were achieved using glucosamine sulphate.
Shaun’s comment: A well-conducted systematic review can be considered to be one of the highest levels of evidence. This review was difficult due to the wide disparity in study design, outcomes, populations and products used in the many trials looking at the use of glucosamine for osteoarthritis. Many GPs will have recommended glucosamine and this review justifies its use, with the key messages that it does work, and the best evidence suggests that the sulphate form should be used.
Study reference:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/kem026
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