Evaluation of Glucosamine Compared to Ibuprofen for the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis

Glucosamine for Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis

Evaluation of Glucosamine Sulfate Compared to Ibuprofen for the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis – a Randomized Double Blind Controlled 3 Month Clinical Trial.

Article Summary:
Participants in this study suffer from a specific type of osteoarthritis of the jaw, temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Participants were given either 500mg of glucosamine sulfate or 400mg of ibuprofen a day for 3 months. Neither the participants nor the researchers were aware of whether they were taking the glucosamine sulfate or the ibuprofen until after the study was completed. This was to eliminate bias towards either of the medicines. The Brief Pain Questionnaire, as well as the movement and pain of the jaw were examined, along with muscular tenderness of the jaw to examine the effects of the different medicines. Both groups reported less pain due to the medications, but the group taking the glucosamine sulfate reported more improvement in pain, along with less use of other over the counter medicines (such as acetaminophen), and reported some carryover effect, and longer lasting effects of the medicine.

Authors:
Thie NM. Prasad NG. Major PW.

Institution:
Orofacial Pain Clinic, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Country of Publication:
Canada

Source:
Journal of Rheumatology. 28(6):1347-55, 2001 Jun.

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