Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Unsaponifiable Soy and Avocado Oil and Chondroitin Sulfate in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease in adult patients, with its prevalence increasing with age, and these issues most frequently affect the knee joint. In the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (gonarthrosis), the so-called symptomatically slow-acting drugs in the treatment of osteoarthritis (SYSADOA) are used, among which unsaponifiable soy and avocado oil or chondroitin sulfate are included. The study compared the efficacy and safety of these two drugs in a 6-month therapy of gonarthrosis.
Introduction
In knee osteoarthritis or gonarthrosis, there is generally a distinction between primary (idiopathic) and secondary forms. The primary form is less common, usually arises in middle age, and more frequently affects women. Secondary gonarthrosis is more common, more frequently affects men, and occurs independently of age. The most common causes of secondary gonarthrosis include post-traumatic conditions, arthritis, congenital and developmental defects, or extra-articular axial deformities.
The treatment of both forms of gonarthrosis involves a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach, including lifestyle measures, pharmacotherapy, rehabilitation, and surgical procedures. In pharmacotherapy, the so-called symptomatically slow-acting drugs in the treatment of osteoarthritis (SYSADOA) are commonly used. Among the most frequently used drugs in this category are unsaponifiable soy and avocado oil and chondroitin sulfate.
Study Methodology
Patients suffering from femorotibial gonarthrosis were included in a randomized, double-dummy clinical study. They were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to therapy with unsaponifiable soy and avocado oil at a dose of 300 mg once daily and to therapy with chondroitin sulfate at a dose of 400 mg three times daily. The total duration of therapy was 6 months, followed by a 2-month clinical observation period. The primary aim of the study was to assess the change in score in the The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire system. Secondary aims included assessing the change in the Lequesne scoring system, evaluating pain at rest and during movement, and evaluating the overall efficacy of the therapy.
Results
The study included 364 patients, and evaluation was possible in 361 patients at the end of the study. 183 patients were assigned to therapy with unsaponifiable soy and avocado oil and 178 to therapy with chondroitin sulfate. The WOMAC score at the end of therapy decreased by approximately 50% compared to baseline values in both therapeutic groups. A further slight improvement in the scoring system was observed during the subsequent observation period. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of the WOMAC score.
Similar results were observed in the secondary aims. Over time, there was a reduction in the use of rescue analgesic medication, and more than 80% of patients rated the overall efficacy of the therapy as excellent or good. The use of both drugs was safe and well-tolerated.
Conclusion
The results of this study indicate that in the treatment of gonarthrosis, unsaponifiable soy and avocado oil at a dose of 300 mg once daily has the same effect as chondroitin sulfate at a dose of 400 mg three times daily. In routine clinical practice, the administration of unsaponifiable soy and avocado oil could be associated with a higher rate of compliance due to once-daily dosing.
(holi)
Source: Pavelka K., Coste P., Géher P., Krejci G. Efficacy and safety of piascledine 300 versus chondroitin sulfate in a 6 months treatment plus 2 months observation in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Clin Rheumatol 2010; 29 (6): 659–670, doi: 10.1007/s10067-010-1384-8.
Did you like this article? Would you like to comment on it? Write to us. We are interested in your opinion. We will not publish it, but we will gladly answer you.