In a recent observational retrospective research, it was found that using oral prescription-grade crystalline Glucosamine sulphate (pCGS) as an add-on therapy to traditional therapies, at a dose of 1500 mg once daily, was more successful than standard care alone in reducing hand pain and improving functioning in individuals with erosive osteoarthritis of hand (EHOA). This symptomatic outcome was noticeable after 3 months of treatment and lasted for 6 months.

Investigators sought to explore the effectiveness of pCGS as an add-on therapy to conventional therapy (exercise, education and training in ergonomic principles, and use on-demand of symptomatic drugs), compared to usual therapy alone to treat EHOA.  Individuals with concurrent knee osteoarthritis and symptomatic EHOA were included in this 6-month retrospective case-control study. Subjects were divided into two groups based on whether they received pCGS (1500 mg/day) as part of the standard treatment for osteoarthritis of the hand.

Patients were examined at the baseline, three and six months afterwards. A total of 123 subjects were recruited into the study, with 67 receiving pCGS along with conventional medication (pCGS group), and 56 receiving conventional medication alone (Control group). The alteration in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Functional Index for Hand Osteoarthritis (FIHOA) scores (from baseline to 6th month) were the key endpoints ascertained. Within 6 months, there was a considerable variation in VAS (Figure 1) and FIHOA scores in favor of the pCGS group.

The morning stiffness duration, health assessment questionnaire, and physical/mental component score of the 36-item short form all produced comparable results. At 3 and 6 months, the pCGS Group showed a significant reduction in symptomatic medication usage. In both groups, severe adverse effects were not observed. Hence, this study illustrated the promising ability of pCGS in alleviating pain and improving function, when used in combination with conventional therapy, in people diagnosed with erosive osteoarthritis of the hand.