Popular joint pain supplements don't work

Two popular arthritis supplements taken by millions of people worldwide to combat joint pain do not work, scientists said.

The supplements, glucosamine and chondroitin, are usually taken on their own or in combination to reduce joint pain caused by osteoarthritis in the hips and knees.

Researchers analysed the results of 10 published trials involving 3,803 patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis. The trials looked at changes in pain levels after the patients took the supplements, combined them with a placebo, or just took a placebo.

Chondroitin, glucosamine, or their combination were found to have no clinical effect on perceived joint pain or on joint space narrowing.

The researchers, led by Professor Peter Jüni at the University of Bern in Switzerland, said that despite the findings, some patients found the supplements helpful in managing join pain, which was attributed to either "the natural course of osteoarthritis" or the placebo effect.

“Compared with placebo, glucosamine, chondroitin, and their combination do not reduce joint pain or have an impact on narrowing of joint space. Health authorities and health insurers should be discouraged from funding glucosamine and chondroitin treatment,” the study authors said.

“We see no harm in having patients continue these preparations as long as they perceive a benefit and cover the cost of treatment themselves,” the authors added.

Osteoarthritis of the hip or knee is a chronic condition which is usually treated with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. However, these can cause stomach and heart problems when used long term.

In recent years doctors have increasingly prescribed glucosamine and chondroitin to their patients, and many patients have also bought the supplements over the counter.

This article was published on Fri 17 September 2010