[Experience of using the chondroprotector Sustagard Artro (sashe) in the treatment of lower back pain].

Aim: To compare the efficacy of oral administration of the chondroprotector (CP) Sustagard Artro and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in reducing lower back pain and to assess the level of blood glucose in patients taking CP.

Material And Methods: Sixty patients with spondylarthrosis (SA) were studied. Patients were randomized into the CP group (n=30), which received Sustagard Artro (1 sachet once a day for 6 weeks), and the NSAIDs group (n=30) treated with injectable forms of different groups of NSAIDs for 3-7 days. Pain intensity was evaluated by the numerical rating scale (NRS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI).

Results: The reduction in the severity of pain on NRS was similar in both groups: 5.73±1.74 before treatment and 1.43±0.33 after treatment in the CP group; 6.03±0.93 and 1.17±0.97 in the NSAIDs group, respectively. No significant difference in the efficacy was observed between two groups on ODI: 34.66% at baseline and 1.86% after 6 weeks in the CP group; 37.47% and 2.27% in the NSAIDs group, respectively. Changes in the level of glucose were within the upper limit of normal in the CP group.

Conclusion: Oral administration of CP (Sustagard Artro, sashe) reduces pain syndrome as effectively as NSAIDs.