Combination therapy for exacerbations of pain in osteoarthritis with non-fixed combinations
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: Aim. To evaluate the efficacy of a combination therapy containing chondroitin sulfate (CS), glucosamine (GL), methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), hyaluronic acid (HA), and native/hydrolyzed collagen compared to collagen-free therapy in the initial management of knee osteoarthritis (OA) exacerbations. Materials and methods. A single-center, prospective, comparative phase IV study included 60 patients with knee OA (Kellgren–Lawrence stages 2–3). Participants were randomized into two groups: Group A (n=30) received CS/GL/MSM/HA, while Group B (n=30) received the same regimen supplemented with collagen. Pain dynamics (VAS, WOMAC), NSAID requirements, and functional outcomes (Timed Up-and-Go test, walking speed, muscle strength) were assessed at weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8. Results. Group B demonstrated significant superiority: a 76% reduction in WOMAC pain scores (vs. 47% in Group A; p=0.04) and a 74% reduction in VAS scores (vs. 56%; p0.05). NSAID use at week 8 was 2.6±0.5 days in Group B (vs. 4.3±1.8 in Group A; p=0.04). Functional improvements (12% increase in walking speed, 42% reduction in Timed Up-and-Go test duration) were also more pronounced in Group B (p0.05). Conclusion. The combination of CS/GL/MSM/HA with collagen significantly outperforms collagen-free therapy in reducing pain, improving joint function, and decreasing symptomatic treatment needs in patients with knee OA exacerbations. These findings support the inclusion of collagen in OA combination therapy.
Source: Terapevticheskii arkhiv
Language: English
Subfield: Rheumatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4411155390