Glucosamine and Alendronate for Osteoarthritis

This assignment analyzes a study comparing the effectiveness of glucosamine and glucosamine combined with alendronate in treating osteoarthritis. The study found that both treatments reduced pain, inflammation, and cartilage damage, although alendronate's potential to cause pain is noted. The paper delves into the mechanisms of action for each medication, highlighting their roles in inhibiting osteophyte formation and promoting cartilage repair.

Running head: Health sciences
Health sciences
Name
Lecturer
Institution affiliation
Date

Health sciences2
Summary of the hypothesis
The hypothesis seeks to understand the Degenerative joint disease, also known as Osteoarthritis.
Also, the hypothesis will seek to understand more on the various types of treatment as well as
factors that lead to the disease. The search strategy will involve a literature review of what is
currently known about the disease as well as the various sources written on the disease.
Currently, the degenerative joint disease has been a common disease in people especially the old
age who are in developed countries. Researches done to try to find a way to cure patient’s knee
osteoarthritis, have found that glucocorticoid is much preferred than (NAID) non-steroidal anti-
inflammation drugs. However, glucocorticoid drugs are not administered as systemic treatment
of osteoarthritis. Another way of administering treatment is by providing glucosamine, which is
a protective cartilage agent. Also, the research found out that the biggest risk factor is age as well
as trauma and obesity. The occurrence of the disease among genders is fond to at the ration 2:1
female to male ratio. The prevalence of the disease is about 12.1% among adults aged 60 years
and above while 4.9% among adults aged more than 26 years (Hamid Reza Arti, 2017).
Methods of research
The study will assume randomized clinical trials, focused on patients who are aged between 45
to 70 years. These patients will require diagnosing for osteoarthritis and osteoporosis as well as
physical examination radiographs and bone mineral densitometry (BMD). To suit the objective
of the study, the inclusion criteria are as follows, lack of history on diseases affecting cartilage
and bone such as gout, bone records of diabetes, vascular disease, ligamentous injury and trauma
(Hamid Reza Arti, 2017).
Patients that will be excluded if they use drugs while the study period is ongoing, lack of follow
up from the patient's side, have a metabolic disease attacking the cartilage and bone, the presence
of vascular disease as well as a record of trauma and patients who are hypersensitive.
Sampling will be done using the simple convenience method and groups will be assigned to a
random method using a random number table.
Group 1 will be provided with a combination of alendronate and glucosamine for twelve weeks
while the second group will be provided with glucosamine alone for the same period. Both
groups will be given administered with 500g of calcium and 400units of Vitamin D.

Health sciences3
Glucosamine will be administered orally three times a day as well as 70mg of alendronate tablet
which will be administered once a week. The process will also involve conducting a physical
examination of the knee as well as radiographs in the first week, and the symptoms will be
checked and signs evaluated in the third week up to the twelfth week of treatment (Tzou, 2005).
Analysis
As soon as the treatment is completed and data is collected, statistical analysis will be conducted
using SPSS16 through descriptive statistical test such as frequency mean, standard deviation and
comparison test
The research study will begin by defining the scope of the study whereby it will aim to limit
itself on degenerative joint disease in human beings. The limitation will assist to ensure the
research does not deviate from the topic.
The next step is to identify the various sources that will provide data for the research. Such
sources will include previous researches, journals, books and medical websites. Moreover, data
will be collected from medical practitioners who will help provide additional information as well
as the practical aspect in dealing with the disease.
The primary method of study will be qualitative which will also reinforce by quantitative
method. The qualitative method will involve collecting data from previous researches, journals,
books as well as articles done on the degenerative joint disease. The quantitative method is
aimed to back up the qualitative research; this research will be conducted through interviewing
medical practitioners who have specialized on the degenerative joint disease. The data will then
be analyzed to ensure that it is relevant to the topic in question and eliminate that which is not
required in the study.
Findings
Pain levels
The pain level reduction for both groups was almost the same with no significant difference.
However, during the sixth and twelfth week, there were different levels of stiffness among the
groups. The stiffness was more profound in-group two that were treated with glucosamine alone
compared to group one, which had low stiffness and treated with glucosamine and alendronate.

Health sciences4
Level of knee activity
Continuous tests revealed that there was a significant increase in the level of knee activity for
both groups. However, the group treated with glucosamine alone, i.e., group two had a lower
knee activity.
After the collection and analysis of the data, the next step is an interpretation of the findings.
This stage will ensure that all the data analyzed as ascertained to be helpful relevant is
interpreted to obtain a meaning. The findings will seek to determine the trend of the disease, the
various ways in which the disease can be handled or prevented as well as current measures in
place concerning the degenerative joint disease (Usami et al., 1998).
Discussion
Both groups, group one and group two had the same mean in gender, level of knee activity,
weight and age. However, the differences were not statistically significant. Pain levels of patients
in both groups; drastically reduced by the twelfth week and the patients of the same groups had
no significant difference. Previous studies have found glucosamine has a considerable role in
reducing pain in patient’s osteoarthritis.
The discussion section, findings from the study will be evaluated as well as incorporate
resourceful knowledge from other studies to provide the best way forward. In this case, the
discussion will conduct an evaluation with the interest of the audience in mind who is a father at
an old age. Therefore most of the ways provided for dealing with the disease will aim to address
the needs of the mentioned patent.
Conclusion
From this study, it was found that histological effects brought about by glucosamine on cartilage
prevent the absorption of alendronate on bone density.

Health sciences5
The study recommends that Glucosamine is best to be administered as it has fewer complications
than NSAID’s in elderly patients.
Administering alendronate and glucosamine to menopausal women having osteoporosis is likely
to effective in preventing the disease.
As the medication is administered, it is crucial to conduct physical therapy and rehabilitation as
leads to a reduction in inflammation.
The study also concluded that glucosamine could eliminate one of the pain creating mechanisms,
prevent the creation of osteophytes, and repair cartilage. Pain inhibition is another role of
alendronate whereby prevents the formation of osteophytes thus prevent and reduce joint pain.
The explanation behind the fact that the two groups did not differ in pain experienced is that
musculoskeletal pain is also a common side effect of alendronate. Beside alendronate being a
pain reliever, it can also be a cause of pain.
References

Health sciences6
Arti, H., & Azemi, M. (2012). Comparing the effect of Glucosamine and Glucosamine With
Alendronate in Symptomatic Relieve of Degenerative Knee Joint Disease: A Double-
blind Randomized Clinical Trial Study. Jundishapur Journal Of Natural
Pharmaceutical Products, 7(3), 87-92. http://dx.doi.org/10.5812/jjnpp.3405
Arti, H. R., & Azemi, M. E. (2012). Comparing the effect of glucosamine and glucosamine with
alendronate in symptomatic relieve of degenerative knee joint disease: A double-blind
randomized clinical trial study. Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical
Products, 7(3), 87-92.
Hamid Reza Arti, M. (2017). Comparing the effect of Glucosamine and Glucosamine With
Alendronate in Symptomatic Relieve of Degenerative Knee Joint Disease: A Double-
blind Randomized Clinical Trial Study. PubMed Central (PMC). Retrieved 3
September 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3941844/
Inhibiting Effect of Auxin on Glucosamine Incorporation into Cell Walls of Rice Coleoptiles.
(1987). Plant And Cell Physiology.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.pcp.a077296
Inhibiting Effect of Auxin on Glucosamine Incorporation into Cell Walls of Rice Coleoptiles.
(1987). Plant And Cell Physiology.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.pcp.a077296
Tzou, D. (2005). A solid-state NMR application of the anomeric effect in carbohydrates:
galactosamine, glucosamine, and N-acetyl-glucosamine. Solid State Nuclear Magnetic
Resonance, 27(4), 209-214. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ssnmr.2004.11.007
Usami, Y., Okamoto, Y., Takayama, T., Shigemasa, Y., & Minami, S. (1998). Effect ofN-acetyl-
d-glucosamine andd-glucosamine oligomers on canine polymorphonuclear cells in
vitro. Carbohydrate Polymers, 36(2-3), 137-141. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0144-
8617(98)00019-8