Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes joints to become painful and stiff. It is caused by damage in and around the joint that the body is unable to fully repair. It affects about 3.6% of the world’s population. It can cause chronic disability and is associated with increased healthcare and socioeconomic costs. The pain and disability associated with the disease are due to articular (joint) inflammation, cartilage degradation (a flexible connective tissue covering the bones of the joint) and new bone formation at the joint edges. Here, we want to explore the effect of chondroitin sulfate (CS) – a important structural component of cartilage - on joint inflammation as measured by the diagnostic imaging technique ultrasonography. We also plan to contribute to the understanding of the possible mechanisms involved in this anti-inflammatory effect.
Who can participate?
Adults aged at least 40 and diagnosed with osteoarthritis.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated into one of two groups. Those in group 1 are given 800mg of CS (Condrosan®), once a day for 6 months. Those in group 2 are given 3g of ACT (Acetaminophen) once a day for 6 months. Both treatments are then stopped to assess the long-lasting effects of CS during the next 3 months. Patients are allowed to take tramadol (a pain killer) up to 112.5mg/day. They are all examined at the start of the study, and then after 1.5 months, 3 months, 6 months and, finally, 9 months. At their first visit, knee radiography is performed to see how badly it is affected by the osteoarthtitis. Subsequent follow up examinations involve a physical exam, ultrasonography (US), knee pain using a patient’s self-assessed 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS), any improvement in the function of the knee, arthrocentesis (removing fluid from the joint) and taking blood samples.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Patients will not directly benefit from the study but they will help to improve osteoarthritis management, as we need objective results of the effect of chondrotin sulfate in knee inflammation. Any side effects are due to the two treatments used in the study and also from the arthrocentesis procedure. Chondroitin sulfate can cause upset stomach, nausea, heartburn, and diarrhea. Acetaminophen side effects include passing blood in urine or stools, fever, sharp pain in the lower back or side, skin rashes, itching, sore throat, sores, ulcers, white spots on the lips or in the mouth, sudden fall in the amount of urine, unusual bleeding or bruising, unusual tiredness or weakness and yellow eyes or skin. Risks associated with the arthrocentesis procedure include infection of the joint, bleeding into the joint, increased pain and an allergic reaction.
Where is the study run from?
Rheumatology service, Hospital del Mar, Barcolona (Spain)
When is study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2008 to October 2010
Who is funding the study?
Rheumatology service, Hospital del Mar, Barcolona (Spain)
Who is the main contact?
Dr. Jordi Monfort
jmonfort@parcdesalutmar.cat
Dr. Laura Tío
ltio@imim.es
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Dr Jordi Monfort
ORCID ID
Contact details
Hospital del Mar
Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta
25-29
Barcelona
08003
Spain
Type
Scientific
Additional contact
Dr Laura Tio
ORCID ID
Contact details
Hospital del Mar
Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta
25-29
Barcelona
08003
Spain
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
N/A
Study information
Scientific title
Pilot, open-label, prospective, longitudinal, parallel study to evaluate the effect of chondroitin sulfate treatment effect in synovitis measured by ultrasonography in knee osteoarthritis patients
Acronym
N/A
Study hypothesis
It is hypothesized that the treatment with chondroitin sulfate reduce the knee synovial membrane inflammation present in osteoarthritis. This reduction is accompanied by pain and function improvement.
Ethics approval
The research ethics review committee of IMAS-Hospital del Mar; 04/02/2008; ref: 2007/2846/I
Study design
Nine months pilot open-label prospective longitudinal parallel study
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Hospitals
Trial type
Treatment
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Condition
Osteoarthritis
Intervention
The participants will be randomly assigned to one of 2 study groups:
1. Chondroitin sulfate: 800mg orally once daily
2. Acetaminophen: 3g orally once daily
Both treatments will be taken for 6 months and both grups will be followed up for 9 months
Intervention type
Drug
Phase
Phase I
Drug names
1. Chondroitin sulfate
2. Acetaminophen
Primary outcome measure
Synovial hypertrophy and effusion measured by ultarsonography. The patient will be examined with the knee in 45 degree flexion and in full extension. The maximal values for synovitis and effusion will be measured in millimetres (mm) in the suprapatellar recess in the longitudinal axis using a 7-12 MHz linear array probe. All measurements will be carried out by the same investigator, who will be blind to the patients treatment regimen.
Secondary outcome measures
1. Pain of the studied knee using a patients self-assessed 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS)
2. Joint function improvement using the Lequesne index
3. Synovial and serum human ILs (IL-1b, IL-6, and IL-8), chemokines (CXCL16, MCP-1, RANTES, and fractalkine) and neuropeptides (VIP, CRF, and UCN) levels will be measured through Luminex-based multiplex assay, ELISA and enzyme immunoassay kits
Overall trial start date
01/10/2008
Overall trial end date
31/10/2010
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Men or women 40 years or older
2. Fulfilment of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria for clinical KOA
3. Presence of radiographic OA in the knee joint, defined as a Kellgren and Lawrence (K&L) score of 2 or 3.
4. Ultrasonography presence of synovitis plus joint effusion thickness ≥4 mm
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
70
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Any serious disease (such as decompensate heart disease, diabetes, fibromyalgia, renal insufficiency, liver disease or malignancies)
2. Secondary OA
3. Use of any medication already know to affect the variables examined (oral corticosteroids, intra-articular corticosteroids, or any SYSADOA within 3 previous months before study enrolment, or any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug within 30 days before studys enrolment)
Recruitment start date
01/10/2008
Recruitment end date
31/10/2010
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Spain
Trial participating centre
Hospital del Mar
Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 25-29
Barcelona
08003
Spain
Funders
Funder type
Hospital/treatment centre
Funder name
IMAS-Hospital del Mar (Spain) - Rheumatology Service
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Not provided at time of registration
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Not provided at time of registration
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list