A 2 year study conducted by Dutch researchers has concluded that glucosamine does not provide any improvement on pain, function or disease progression in patients with hip osteoarthritis.

222 people were involved in the study conducted by Dr. Rianne M. Rozendaal at the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Half of them were randomly assigned 1,500 mg glucosamine daily in the form of a glucosamine sulfate supplement, while the other half received a placebo. Physicians, patients and researchers were blinded to the group assignmtents.

The study participants had relatively early stage hip osteoarthritis, half of them for 3 years or less. In order to enhance the validity of the study, researchers required the glucosamine supplier to double-check that the tablets had the correct dosage. 93% of the subjects completed the entire study.

Pain and function levels were measured prior to the start of the study, every 3 months during the study and at the end. X-rays of the affected joints were taken at the beginning and end.

The researchers found that there was no significant effect on pain or function based on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) pain and function subscales, nor in stiffness, use of pain medication or progression of the disease. In addition, 15 of the study participants underwent hip replacement surgery which may have impacted the analysis.

Some researchers are calling for additional studies focused on individuals with more advanced arthritis, saying this study’s participants had little room for improvement due to the early stage of the disease.

A commentary published with the study called into question the efficacy of the glucosamine as a result of non-standardized glucosamine preparations.

The study was published in the February issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.