Poster 28 Effects of glucosamine on pain and functioning in canadians with osteoarthritis of the knee11Disclosure: None.

Objective: To determine the effects of glucosamine sulphate on morbidity in osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Groups were stratified on age, body mass index, gender, pain ratings, and medications. Setting: Outpatient teaching hospital in Ontario, Canada. Participants: 18 men and women, age 18 to 65 years, with moderately severe, radiologically confirmed OA. Sample size estimates indicated samples of 14 subjects would detect ’20% improvements in pain (α=.05, power=.80). Interventions: 1500mg of purified glucosamine versus color-coded drug placebo self-administered twice daily for 8 weeks. Participants were asked to refrain from all other treatments for OA, including medications. Main Outcome Measures: Baseline and 8-week measures, including visual analog pain ratings, peak torque strength on a Biodex isokinetic strength tester, quality of life using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthiritis Index (WOMAC), and range of motion (ROM). Results: Both groups improved in treatment on pain (P<.05), and there were trends toward improvement on ROM in both groups, suggesting a placebo effect. There were no trends for changes in peak torque or WOMAC measures. Rate of drop out prior to completion of all study requirements was high (42%) and all patients admitted using other pain medications during the trial. The desire for more pain control was implicated in dropping out. Conclusion: The efficacy of glucosamine for treating Canadians who have OA of the knee remains unclear despite positive industry-linked trials.