Symptomatic therapy for knee osteoarthrosis: new possibilities

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the zinaxin-glucosamine sulfate (ZGS) complex versus meloxicam in patients with knee osteoarthrosis (KOA). Subjects and methods. The 12-week, prospective, open-label, randomized clinical and instrumental study enrolled 40 patients with bilater al Kellgren and Lawrence stage I– IV KOA on X-ray. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index and knee joint ultrasound data were assessed during the study over time (before and 4 and 12 weeks after treatment). Results. The main symptoms of KOA were considerably alleviated during the administration of ZGS and meloxicam. The same effect was achieved at week 4 of treatment and increased throughout the study. Both groups showed significantly reduced stiffness (p<0.001), which indirectly confirmed that the compared drugs had anti-inflammatory activity. The changes in the WOMAC index by the functional activity scale and the total WOMAC score suggested an increase in the positive effect of ZGS and meloxicam. The total assessment of the results of treatment with ZGS showed improvement and considerable improvement in 100% of cases; meloxicam was demonstrated to have no effect in 5.3% of the patients. The anti-inflammatory activity of ZGS and meloxicam was evidenced by knee joint ultrasonography. Conclusion. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of ZGS are comparable with those of meloxicam on pain, stiffness, and functional activity. Dynamic ultrasonography of the knee joints provides support for the fact that ZGS has anti-inflammatory properties. The high effi cacy of ZGS is combined with the absence of adverse reactions. ZGS may be recommended as an alternative treatment for KOA.