A Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Nutritional Supplementation on Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Abstract

Conflicting evidence exists concerning the effects of nutrient intake in osteoarthritis (OA). A systematic literature review and meta-analysis were performed using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library up to November 2021 to assess the effects of nutrients on pain, stiffness, function, quality of life, and inflammation markers. We obtained 52 references including 50 on knee OA. Twelve studies compared 724 curcumin patients and 714 controls. Using the standardized mean difference, improvement was significant with regard to pain and function in the curcumin group compared to placebo, but not with active treatment (i.e., nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, chondroitin, or paracetamol). Three studies assessed the effects of ginger on OA symptoms in 166 patients compared to 164 placebo controls. Pain was the only clinical parameter that significantly decreased. Vitamin D supplementation caused a significant decrease in pain and function. Omega-3 and vitamin E caused no changes in OA parameters. Herbal formulations effects were significant only for stiffness compared to placebo, but not with active treatment. A significant decrease in inflammatory markers was found, especially with ginger. Thus, curcumin and ginger supplementation can have a favorable impact on knee OA symptoms. Other studies are needed to better assess the effects of omega-3 and vitamin D.

Role of vitamin D supplementation in the management of musculoskeletal diseases: update from an European Society of Clinical and Economical Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO) working group

“…Randomized controlled trials on the effects of vitamin D supplementation on the progression of knee OA and related symptoms were recently summarized in several meta-analysis [103, [107][108][109][110][111] and are presented in Table 3 including various studies [112][113][114][115][116][117][118]. Vitamin D supplementation to patients with 25(OH)D below 50 nmol/L, but not higher, may alleviate pain and improve joint function.…”

“…Vitamin D supplementation to patients with 25(OH)D below 50 nmol/L, but not higher, may alleviate pain and improve joint function. In the review of Mathieu et al [111], 3 studies assessing the effects of 2000 to 3000 IU of vitamin D per day for 1 or 2 years on OA symptoms in more than 500 patients demonstrated that VAS evaluated pain and WOMAC function were significantly improved, albeit with a modest effect size.…”

A Scoping Review of the Use of Pioglitazone in the Treatment of Temporo-Mandibular Joint Arthritis

“…One of the goals of osteoarthritis pharmacotherapy is to reduce the concentration of inflammatory mediators [ 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ]. Increased concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors accumulating in the articular cartilage matrix, and an increased duration of the inflammatory process associated with elevated levels of these factors, are responsible for joint destruction [ 47 , 48 ].…”

Turmeric ethanol extract (Curcuma longa L.) reduces apoptosis and promotes canine osteosarcoma cell proliferation

“…Curcumin reduces lipogenesis and exerts antipruritic, antiinflammatory, antineoplastic, analgesic, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, and antioxidant effects (14)(15)(16)(17)(18) . In practice curcumin has been widely sold as a phytotherapeutic agent to treat inflammatory bone diseases in canine (19) and human patients (20) . However, its mechanisms and related cell signaling pathways remain poorly characterized.…”