(P23-082-23) Effectiveness of a Dietary Supplement Containing Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, and Calcium in Joint Pain Reduction and Functional Capacity: A Real-World Study

Objectives: Joint and bone disease constitute a leading cause of morbidity globally, especially for the elderly. The ameliorative effect of  glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate on the progression of severe degenerative joint diseases has been examined in well-controlled clinical trials. However, the long-term effectiveness and safety of a combination of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and calcium (GCSC) on the prevention and relief of mild-to-moderate joint discomfort in a real-world setting have never been explored, which substantially hinders its wide application.

Methods: Adults who have taken GCSC for over one month across China were invited for this survey. Self-reported symptoms of joint discomfort, backache and bone pain before and after supplementation were collected via valid questionnaires. Mixed effect model was used to interrogate the effect of the GCSC on joint and bone discomfort. Moreover, subgroup analyses were conducted across intake duration, dosage, age group and gender.

Results: Of the 4 030 participants surveyed, the median age was 44 years old and 72.53% were female. Only 16.7% of the participants reported diagnosed osteoarthritis, while almost 40% of the consumers had no symptoms at all and took GCSC for prevention. After controlling for demographics, lifestyle, history of bone diseases and metabolic comorbidities, medication and use of other dietary supplements, GCSC supplementation significantly alleviated joint discomfort including pain, stiffness and swelling, improved joint flexibility, and relieved backache and bone pain (all P < 0.001). Individuals with GCSC supplementation for over 3 months showed a more pronounced improvement in joint discomfort and flexibility, whereas, no additional effect on backache and bone pain relief was found. On the contrary, reaching a recommended glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate dosage of 800 and 640 mg/day, respectively demonstrated a more obvious alleviation in backache and bone pain. No significant between-group difference was observed across age and gender and only 6% of the participants reported minor adverse events, mainly constipation.

Conclusions: Dietary supplementation of GCSC demonstrates to be an effective strategy to relieve joint and bone discomfort.

Funding Sources: National Natural Science Foundation of China