Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of the two study groups
| Characteristic | MSM (N = 25) | Placebo (N = 25) | p value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kellgren and Lawrence Grade | |||
| Grade 1 | 4 | 8 | |
| Grade 2 | 7 | 6 | |
| Grade 3 | 4 | 6 | |
| Grade 4 | 10 | 5 | 0.324 |
| Male gender | 4 | 13 | 0.007* |
| Age | 67.0 ± 9.8 | 71.0 ± 8.3 | 0.203 |
| Body mass index (BMI) | 31.4 ± 5.4 | 28.6 ± 3.09 | 0.037* |
| WOMAC (0-100 mm scale) | |||
| Pain subscale | 42.4 ± 25.7 | 45.9 ± 27.4 | 0.641 |
| Stiffness subscale | 46.7 ± 24.8 | 43.0 ± 35.6 | 0.671 |
| Function subscale | 39.9 ± 21.2 | 47.4 ± 21.9 | 0.221 |
| Aggregated total score | 40.9 ± 20.3 | 47.0 ± 22.2 | 0.100 |
| ALF (seconds) | |||
| 8 meter walk time | 9.4 ± 3.9 | 8.2 ± 2.1 | 0.172 |
| Stand-sit-stand transfer time | 10.4 ± 5.3 | 8.4 ± 2.4 | 0.106 |
| Stair ascent and descent time | 23.9 ± 15.1 | 16.5 ± 5.8 | 0.029* |
| ALF score | 43.6 ± 23.2 | 33.1 ± 9.6 | 0.043* |
| SF-36 (0-100 scale) | |||
| SF-36 score results | 54.1 ± 18.9 | 58.0 ± 17.2 | 0.446 |
| Visual-analogue-scale for pain | 3.78 ± 3.04 | 4.60 ± 2.74 | 0.320 |
| Knee Society Knee Score | 60.04 ± 15.6 | 59.5 ± 17.1 | 0.911 |
| Knee Society Function Score | 60.4 ± 17.2 | 58.9 ± 13.1 | 0.734 |
Values are presented as mean ± SD.
* The significance threshold was set at p ≤ 0.05.
MSM = methylsulfonylmethane; WOMAC = Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index; ALF = aggregated locomotor function; SF-36 = 36-item short-form health survey.
There were significant differences between the groups at baseline in gender, BMI and ALF score. Results of the study were adjusted to account for these differences.