Effect of glucosamine sulphate on joint space narrowing, pain, and function in patients with hip osteoarthritis: Subgroup analyses of a randomized controlled trial

222 patients with osteoarthritis of the hip were randomized to receive 1500 mg of glucosamine sulphate (GS) or a placebo daily to determine which subgroups would benefit the most from GS treatment. The 24 month results from this trial indicated that GS treatment provided no improvements in WOMAC pain and function scores or joint space narrowing when compared to the placebo group. Therefore, glucosamine was no better than placebo in reducing symptoms and progression of osteoarthritis of the hip and had no effect based on type and severity of OA.