Chondroitin Superior to Celecoxib in Knee OA Cartilage Loss Save

A study of 194 knee OA patients received either 1200 mg chondroitin sulfate or celecoxib 200 mg daily, and clinical and MRI outcomes were assessed at 1 and 2 years.

In addition to clinical measures, MRI was done to to detect loss of cartilage, changes in bone marrow legions, and thickening of the synovial membrane in the knee.

At 1 and 2 years, less cartilage loss was seen in those on chondroitin compared to celecoxib. In addition to reducing loss of cartilage, there was a reduction in synovial membrane inflammation. Both groups noticed the same clinical efficacy in reducing OA symptoms and used the same amount of rescue analgesics (acetaminophen). The incidence of adverse events was similar.

The authors concluded that although chondroitin sulfate and celecoxib are equally clinically effective, only chondroitin sulfate was capable of reducing the loss of cartilage.