EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF THE COMBINED DRUG OF GLUCOSAMINE AND CHONDROITIN SULFATE IN PATIENTS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Golovach I.Yu., Chipko T.M. , Semeniv I.P. , Zazirniy I.M., Lazorenko E.A.

• Feofaniya Clinical Hospital, Kyiv

Summary. The aim of the research was to study the effectiveness and safety of the combination of the drug of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate Artron® Triactive in patients with knee osteoarthritis during the 6-month therapy. The study included 46 patients aged 48 to 75 years (average age 62.3±6.8 years) with knee osteoarthritis in I–III stage and minimum 40 points according to the visual analog scale. 27 women and 19 men were observed. The drug Artron® Triactive was prescribed as 1 tablet 2 times a day for 6 months. The efficacy and safety of the therapy was evaluated at 1; 3 and 6 months, according to the generally accepted criteria for evaluation of drugs for the treatment of osteoarthritis. The dynamics of the intensity of the pain score according to the visual analog scale, the WOMAC index, the amount of time needed to pass 30 m, the need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were evaluated; an overall assessment of treatment according to the doctor and the patient was conducted as well. A significant pain intensity reduction after 3 and 6 months of treatment was observed. Thus, after 6 months the pain at rest rate became 3.3 times lower, and the pain in motion rate — 2.8 times lower. According to the WOMAC index the drug administration results in significantly reduced pain and joint stiffness and improvement of functional activity. Syste­mic administration of Artron® Triactive significantly reduced the dosage of NSAIDs, while 43.5% of patients were able to refuse from them after 6 months. 92% of patients according to the physician’s evaluation and 89% of patients themselves noted an improvement in their condition and symptoms of osteoarthritis within the course of the 6-month treatment with the drug Artron® Triactive. The available data indicate that the drug is Artron® Triactive is an effective slow-action symptom-modifying drug. It has analgesic and anti-inflammatory acti­vity, improves the functional state of the musculoske­letal system.