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Concerns about report suggesting glucosamine and chondroitin protect against cartilage loss
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We wish to raise several concerns about the validity and conclusions of the recent report from Martel-Pelletier and coauthors1 regarding potential effects of glucosamine and chondroitin (G+C) on cartilage loss over time. The report used data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI), a large observational study from which the authors attempted to draw inferences about the effects of these treatments.
First, it is not clear why the authors chose to divide subjects into those on analgesics/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) versus those not on analgesics/NSAIDs before examining the effects of G+C. We are unaware of any data and none is cited that would suggest that G+C would have …