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Glucosamine trial up and running

The ‘Long-term Evaluation of Glucosamine Sulphate (LEGS) Study' is now ‘up and running’ following support from the Central Sydney Division of General Practitioners in assisting with patient recruitment. This clinical trial will monitor patients with osteoarthritis of the knee to determine the benefits of glucosamine while assessing rates of cartilage loss.

The first 940 patients will now undergo X-ray screening of the symptomatic knee at the RPAH QE II radiology department with follow up X-rays scheduled at one and two years into the trial. A select group of 400 patients will also have MRI scans of the study knee at baseline and one year into the trial.

Following their initial X-ray, patients will be randomly allocated active or placebo glucosamine sulphate and/or chondroitin. Patients will regularly document their knee function, medication and use of health care services, and the LEGS research team will conduct bi-monthly checks on their progress.

The significance of the LEGS study is substantial when considering the prevalence of osteoarthritis in our aging population. If regular intake of glucosamine sulphate is shown to ease joint pain, reduce the consumption of NSAIDs or slow the progression of joint destruction, the widespread use of this product would effectively compress the disability and morbidity burden of osteoarthritis on our society. However, should this dietary supplement prove to be ineffective, then this research will result in cost-savings for older Australians and encourage patients, clinicians and health care resources to re-focus on strategies such as regular exercise and weight loss which have already been proven effective in managing this disease.

Information on participating in the trial is available at www.thegeorgeinstitute.org/LEGS.