Functional Outcomes of Undenatured type-2 Collagen V/S Glucosamine Supplements in the Management of Mild to Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis- a Prospective, Randomised Study

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is the second most common inflammatory arthropathy with a prevalence of 22% to 39% in India. Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as a degenerative joint illness, is a chronic, painful, and inflammatory disease that affects the joints.  It is characterized by chronic joint pain, stiffness, inflexibility, swelling, narrowing of joint spaces, and formation of osteophytes. The most common medications include anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, weak opioids, and corticosteroids. These agents are inadequate to effectively reduce the pain or reverse the OA symptoms. Nutraceuticals are also used to ease their pain and discomfort. It can be used as an alternative therapy to avoid the negative effects of taking NSAIDs. These are considerably safe and well tolerated.  Participants who met the study's eligibility requirements were enrolled and given instructions to report for a baseline evaluation.  At the first treatment visit (Visit  2),  selected  subjects  were  randomly  assigned  and  treated  with  UC-Il  or  Glucosamine. On  each  visit  day  (day  30,  60,  90),  subjects  were  followed  up  for  medical  and  physical examination. The pain score assessments included WOMAC, VAS and Oxfordknee pain scores. Each patient participated in the trial by keeping a subject treatment diary that recorded side events, medication use, and product compliance. Out of 100 patients included in the study, 91 patients have completed 3 months of nutraceutical therapy for mild to moderate management of OA.  Among 91 patients, 63 patients were prescribed with UC II Collagen and 28 patients were prescribed with Glucosamine supplement.  The patients were analysed for improvement in symptoms by using 3 standard questionnaires to assess the outcomes. Patient follow up was done to collect data and results were statistically analyzed. It was observed that both the supplements had efficacy in improvement of symptoms of OA i.e., pain, stiffness and physical function difficulties. Upon comparison of efficacy of UC  II  Collagen  vs  Glucosamine,  it  revealed  that there  is  no  statistical  significant  difference between their outcomes. The study demonstrates that upon administration of nutraceutical i.e., UC II Collagen  or  Glucosamine,  for  a  period  of  3  months  have  significantly  shown  to  improve symptoms of Knee OA. Use of such supplements has resulted in fewer use of analgesics. Both Undenatured  Type  II  Collagen  and  Glucosamine  display  equivalent  efficacy  and  yield functional outcomes among patients afflicted with Grade 2 and Grade 3 OA in the knee joints, and found to improve QoL.