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INTRODUCTION: Chondroitin Sulfate (CS) is a drug which is available as pharmaceutical-grade and nutriceutical-grade products, with important variations in preparation, composition, purity and therapeutic effects. Previous studies using pharmaceutical-grade CS suggested that the compound improves pain and function and delays structural progression in knee osteoarthritis (OA), whereas discrepant results were observed when lower grade preparations were investigated. Areas covered: The recently published chondroitin versus celecoxib versus Placebo Trial (CONCEPT) assessed the symptomatic effect of pharmaceutical-grade CS 800 mg/day in symptomatic knee OA. Expert opinion: This prospective, randomized, 6-month, 3-arm, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo and celecoxib (200 mg/day) - controlled trial involved 604 patients aged above 50 years with primary knee OA. This study showed that CS is superior to placebo and similar to celecoxib in reducing pain and improving function in Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1-3 patients supporting the role of pharmaceutical-grade CS as a potential first-line treatment for the management of patients with mild to moderate knee OA.
Olivier Bruyère (Fri,) studied this question.
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