Chondroitin sulfate has proven efficacy for the symptomatic treatment of knee, hip and hand osteoarthritis

Barcelona, January 23, 2012- the city of Barcelona hosted the last weekend the First World Congress on Debates and Consensus in Bone, Muscle and Joint diseases. The event has been attended by more than 400 scientists coming from 65 different countries to discuss the latest scientific advances in the treatment of joint diseases.

Dr. Daniel Uebelhart, world renowned expert specializing in osteoarthritis and medical director of the musculoskeletal rehabilitation clinic in Valmont (Switzerland), read the paper “Symptoms and Structure modification in Osteoarthritis with Pharmaceutical-Grade Chondroitin Sulfate: What’s the Evidence?” Dr Uebelhart stated that, “according to the published clinical essays and all available meta analysis (published and unpublished) orally-administered chondroitin sulfate has proven efficacy in the symptomatic treatment of knee, hip, and hand osteoarthritis”. Regarding its security profile, he stated that "its oral tolerance is outstanding, and that it does not pose any security problems”.

Dr. Uebelhart cited as an example the latest clinical essay on the efficacy of chondroitin sulphate, in this case for the treatment of hand osteoarthrtitis, published in 2011 by the Arthritis and Rheumatism journal (the FACTS Study, Galvay et al.). This study contributed evidence that orally-administered chondroitin sulfate improves significantly pain and functional ability of patients suffering from symptomatic hand osteoarthritis, as well as having a good security profile. He also cited the study published in 2006 (Uebelhart et al.) to evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerance of chondroitin sulfate. He also reviewed the evidences found in the entire literature available (including 10 published and 1 unpublished clinical essays). According to Dr. Uebelhart, “the conclusions of this study qualify chondroitin sulfate as a highly efficient orally-administered SYSADOA for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. In fact, it has been proved that long-term, oral administration of chondroitin sulfate is secure, well tolerated and fully indicated to improve pain and overall mobility of knee osteoarthritis patients.”

In regard to the meta-analysis by Wander et al. published in 2010 by the British Medical Journal, Dr. Uebelhart explains that “although the authors attributed no efficacy to the compound, their conclusions have been amply questioned and accused of being biased by the international scientific community. Even the editors of the BMJ issued a note which rejected some of the conclusions of the study and put into question its objectivity”. He added that “It is worth noting that this meta-analysis had a number of false assumptions and methodological problems, as evidenced by the letters that several experts submitted to the journal editor." 

The following experts also participated in the lecture: Dr. David Hunter (Institute of Bone and Joint Research, Northern Clinical School, University of Sidney, Australia), Xavier Chevalier (head of the department of rheumatology, Henri Mondor Hospital, University of Paris, France), Marc C. Hochberg (Head of the Division of Rheumatology and clinical immunology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA) and Dr. Yves Henrotin (head of the bone and cartilage research unit of the university of Liege, Belgium). Their in-depth review of the different studies, clinical essays and meta-analysis published so far fully endorsed the therapeutic usefulness of chondroitin sulfate.

Chondroitin sulfate is a SYmptomatic Slow Action Drug for Osteo Arthritis which acts on the three joint structures affected by osteoarthritis: joint cartilage, synovial membrane, and subchondral bone. The European League of Rheumatology (EULAR) and the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI), among other organizations, grant chondroitin sulfate the highest degree of scientific evidence (1A) and the highest degree of recommendation (A).

For further information please contact:
Alba Soler
Communications Manager, Bioiberica Farma
asoler@bioiberica.com
http://www.comunicacionbioibericafarma.es
+34 682 040 776 or +34 93 490 49 08

Aina Mauri
amauri@llorenteycuenca.com
+ 34 93 217 22 17