04 OSTEOARTHRITIS: GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE IS PROVED AS THE FIRST DRUG ABLE TO STOP THE DISEASE

During the 3 years of study follow-up, patients treated with glucosamine sulfate did not show any significant reduction of tibiofemoral joint space width compared with patients receiving placebo.
Furthermore, the drug showed long term benefits on symptoms, pain and joint mobility, without any significant side effect. “Anti-inflammatory drugs, including the new cox 2 – says dr. Lucio Rovati, professor of Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Napoli, scientific director of Rottapharm and co-author of the study – have been associated with adverse events including gastrointestinal and cardiovascular problems, this molecule allows us to control the patient’s symptoms on the long term without the need to use any other drug, except when required by an acute inflammatory relapse”.
In conclusion, it is now possible to stop osteoarthritis from its progression and reach the crucial goal of improving the patient’s quality of life and relieving or eliminating his symptoms.
“With two studies published in international peer-reviewed journals – adds Dr Rovati – there are no more doubts that the long-term utilization of glucosamine sulfate is able to control long-term symptoms, therefore reducing drastically the pain and improving articular functionality, at any age. Above all, it is the second time that a slower pogression is obtained, and over 3 years the disease is even stopped, with no progression of structural joint damage. This is the primary objective of the fight against arthritis, because once the joint is deteriorated, the disease inevitably progresses leading to invalidity. If we can contain the worsening of structural damage, we should be able to slow or even abolish the progression of disability. Even in those patients who already have a severe structural compromise, and in whom the benefit on symptoms prevails, this can in any case delay the onset of invalidity.”