Biochemical markers of bone and cartilage remodeling in prediction of longterm progression of knee osteoarthritis.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between biochemical markers of bone and cartilage remodeling and severity or progression (symptoms and structure) of knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Mean and minimal joint space width (JSW) of the femorotibial joint were measured from standardized radiographs taken at baseline and at the end of a 3-year longitudinal study of patients with knee OA. Pain, stiffness, and physical function subscales of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index were assessed at the same time points.

Inhaled corticosteroids effects on bone in asthmatic and COPD patients: a quantitative systematic review.

Deleterious effect of oral corticosteroids on bone has been well documented, whereas this remains debated for inhaled ones (ICS). Our objectives were to analyze the effects of ICS on bone mineral density, fracture risk and bone markers. We performed an exhaustive systematic research of all controlled trials potentially containing pertinent data, peer-reviewed by a dedicated WHO expert group, and comprehensive meta-analyses of the data.

Interest of biochemical markers of bone turnover for long-term prediction of new vertebral fracture in postmenopausal osteoporotic women.

Objective: To analyse the interest of baseline levels and short-term (3-months) changes in serum osteocalcin (BGP), serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and urinary C-telopeptide of type I collagen/creatinine ratio (U-CTX) to predict 3-years changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and spinal deformity index (SDI) in postmenopausal osteoporotic women.

Methods: Data were derived from a cohort of 603 osteoporotic women corresponding to the placebo arm of a 3-years prospective, double-blind study.

Results: Baseline values of BALP, BGP and U-CTX were negatively and significantly correlated with baseline spinal BMD.

Is there any rationale for prescribing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to prevent or to treat osteoarthritis?

Background: During the last two decades of the 20th century, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been considered as the sole pharmacological approach for counterbalancing or mitigating the effects of estrogens deprivation in post-menopausal women. Subsequently, HRT has been widely recommended for the management of chronic diseases occurring, in women during the second half of their life. The overall risk/benefit ratio of estrogens has been recently reassessed in the light of long-term prospective studies failing to demonstrate the expected benefit of HRT on cardiovascular diseases incidence.

Correlation between radiographic severity of knee osteoarthritis and future disease progression. Results from a 3-year prospective, placebo-controlled study evaluating the effect of glucosamine sulfate.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between baseline radiographic severity of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and the importance of long-term joint space narrowing.

Design: Sub-analysis from a three-year randomized, placebo-controlled, prospective study, of 212 patients with knee OA, recruited in an osteoarthritic outpatient clinic and having been part of a study evaluating the effect of glucosamine sulfate on symptom and structure modification in knee OA.

Material And Methods: Measurements of mean joint space width (JSW), assessed by a computer-assisted method, were performed at baseline and after 3 years, on weightbearing anteroposterior knee radiographs.

Radiologic features poorly predict clinical outcomes in knee osteoarthritis.

Objectives: To assess the impact of radiographic severity and progression on pain and disability.

Methods: Measurements of mean joint space width (JSW), narrowest join space (NJS) point and assessment of symptoms by the WOMAC questionnaire were performed at baseline and after three years in 212 subjects over 50 years with primary knee OA.

Results: At baseline, JSW and NJS were not significantly correlated with the scores recorded for the WOMAC global index or its pain, stiffness or function subscales.

Long-term effects of glucosamine sulphate on osteoarthritis progression: a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: Treatment of osteoarthritis is usually limited to short-term symptom control. We assessed the effects of the specific drug glucosamine sulphate on the long-term progression of osteoarthritis joint structure changes and symptoms.

Methods: We did a randomised, double-blind placebo controlled trial, in which 212 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned 1500 mg sulphate oral glucosamine or placebo once daily for 3 years.

Evidence of nutriceutical effectiveness in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Several entities have been carefully investigated for the symptomatic and structural management of osteoarthritis. The most compelling evidence of a potential for inhibiting the structural progression of osteoarthritis has been obtained with glucosamine sulfate, while some preliminary results also suggest that chondroitin sulfate could be used in the same indication. At any rate, these two compounds have clearly demonstrated a symptomatic action, mainly in osteoarthritis of the lower limbs.