Characteristics of studies included
| Methods | Participants | Interventions | Outcome measures | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkens et al30 | RCT Double-blind Single centre | Outpatients (N=250) Country—Norway Mean age 48.5, 48.4% female Inclusion criteria: Chronic LBP >6 months, MRI findings indicating degenerative lumbar OA, age >25 | 1500 mg glucosamine sulphate versus placebo for 6 months | Primary outcome: disability—RMDQ Secondary outcomes: pain at rest and during activity (11-point scale), quality of life (QOL): EQ-5D and EQ-VAS, global perception of effect (7 point scale) Adverse effects | Sponsored by Pharma Nord |
| Tant et al31 | RCT Open-label Single centre | Outpatients (N=36) Country—Belgium Mean age 64, 43.8% female Inclusion criteria: LBP >12 weeks with associated signs of lumbar arthrosis on radiography, pain score on VAS >3 mm | Conventional treatment (CT) (anti-inflammatory and physical therapy) plus glucosamine complex (containing equivalent: 1500 mg glucosamine, 200 mg of Ribes nigrum, 2000 mg methylsulfonylmethane and 100 mg colloidal silicon) for 12 weeks vs CT alone | Primary outcome: pain at rest on VAS Secondary outcomes: lumbar stiffness on VAS, 2 QOL questionnaires—ODI and RMDQ, global assessment of treatment (satisfied or not) Adverse effects | Sponsored by Pierre Fabre Sante |
| Leffler et al32 | RCT (cross-over) Double-blind Single centre | Outpatients (N=34, 23 back patients) Country—USA Mean age 43.5 100% male Inclusion Criteria: chronic knee or low back pain on most days for at least 3 months and radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease | 16 weeks (8 weeks each arm). 1500 mg glucosamine hydrochloride, 1200 mg chondroitin sulphate, 228 g manganese ascorbate vs placebo | Pain (VAS scores), Function: Lequesne Index ( knee), RMDQ (back), patient assessment of handicap, physician assessment of severity and physical examination scores | Patients from US Navy diving and special warfare community Mixed population of knee and back pain (21—knee OA, 23—spinal degenerative joint disease Data separated by site for analysis Sponsored by Nutramax |