Prospective Short-Term Observational Study of Glucosamine Complex with Chondroprotectors Effect in Adults with Diagnosed Knee and/or Hip Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee and/or hip is a chronic degenerative disease that severely impacts quality of life. Current treatments, such as NSAIDs, provide only symptomatic relief and are associated with significant side effects. This study evaluates whether short-term supplementation with a glucosamine complex (glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, omega-3, type II collagen) can improve OA symptoms. Methods: A prospective observational study recruited 200 OA patients from family physician practices in Latvia. Patients were divided into 1) Study group (n = 100) receiving Artroveron® 5in1 COMPLEX WITH OMEGA-3 (Glucosamine hydrochloride 300 mg, Omega-3 fatty acids 100 mg, Chondroitin sulfate 50 mg, Hyaluronic acid 20 mg, Type II collagen 20 mg); 2) Control group (n = 100) receiving no chondroprotectors. Pain levels were assessed at baseline and after 30 days using: Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: Study group (glucosamine complex) had a statistically significant reduction in pain scores compared to the control group (p < 0.001). WOMAC pain score decreased from 7.3 ± 3.8 to 6.0 ± 3.6 (p < 0.001). WOMAC stiffness score improved from 3.4 ± 1.7 to 2.6 ± 1.8 (p < 0.001). WOMAC difficulty score reduced from 26.6 ± 11.3 to 21.0 ± 11.5 (p < 0.001). VAS pain score decreased from 5.8 ± 1.6 to 4.9 ± 1.5 in the study group, compared to 4.8 ± 1.8 to 4.2 ± 2.0 in controls (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Short-term supplementation with Artroveron® 5in1 COMPLEX WITH OMEGA-3 significantly reduced OA pain and stiffness compared to untreated control group. These findings suggest that glucosamine supplementation may serve as an effective alternative for OA symptom management.