[Experience with glucosamine hydrochloride in the treatment of patients with osteoarthrosis].
AIM: To study efficacy and tolerance of glucosamine hydrochloride (GH) in osteoarthrosis (OA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: GH was given to patients of the study group (n = 30) for 2 months in a dose 1200 mg/day, while diclofenak was administered to the patients from the control group (n = 24) in a dose 100 mg/day. Clinical, laboratory activity of the disease was estimated before the study, after it, 3 and 6 months later. Side effects were also studied. The efficacy of GH therapy was estimated according to the Lequesne's index, pain intensity on vision-analogy scale (VAS), doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during the day. RESULTS: A decrease in the Lequesne's index and pain by VAS while walking, requirements of NSAIDs in OA patients were revealed. No unfavorable aftereffects of GH were observed. CONCLUSION: GH relieves pain, improves function of the affected joints, reduces necessity in NSAIDs. The effect persists for 3 months. No side effects were registered.