Nutraceuticals as therapeutic agents in osteoarthritis - The role of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and collagen hydrolysate

Glucosamine and chondriotin sulfate, agents marketed as nutritional supplements in the United States, have been purported to be effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Although overall findings of separate studies and meta-analyses support a possible efficacious role for these agents in the management of osteoarthritis symptoms, methodologic problems, including lack of standardized outcome assessments and insufficient information about study design and conduct in a number of studies, do not allow definitive recommendation of the use of these agents in the treatment of osteoarthritis at this time. Pivotal clinical trials presently planned or in progress will aid in defining their role in the clinical armamentarium for OA management.