โดย apotheker » 09 ก.พ. 2011, 19:10
Glucosamine and chondroitin, two of the biggest hitters in the joint health segment, do not work for reducing joint pain or impact the narrowing of joint space, says a new meta-analysis.
Despite the apparent null effects, scientists state in the British Medical Journal that sufferers of osteoarthritis may continue using the supplements due to the ?perceived? benefit on joint health.
?Some patients, however, are convinced that these preparations are beneficial, which might be because of the natural course of osteoarthritis, regression to the mean, or the placebo effect,? state the reviewers, led by Prof Peter J?ni from the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine at the University of Bern in Switzerland.
In addition, the reviewers support the safety of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements and ?see no harm in having patients continue these preparations as long as they perceive a benefit and cover the costs of treatment themselves?, they added.
However, when it comes to paying for such supplements, Prof Juni and his co-workers are clear that consumers should shoulder the cost, and not national health services or insurance companies.
?Coverage of costs by health authorities or health insurers for these preparations and novel prescriptions to patients who have not received other treatments should be discouraged,? they stated.
