Blotman 1997.

Methods	Randomised, double‐blind, placebo control, 2 parallel groups, multicentre (n not specified). Duration 90 days (˜12 weeks)
Participants	Completed n=163. Mean age 63 yrs. M:F 55:108. Inclusion: OA knee (n=101) or hip (n=62) (ACR criteria), Kellgren grade IB‐III, pain requiring NSAIDs for 3 months
Interventions	Piascledine 300*: Persa gratissma and Glycine max, avocado / soyabean unsaponifiables, 300mg / 600mg, OD, tablets Placebo control: ingredients not reported Rescue medication permitted: one of 7 predefined NSAIDs taken by all participants for first 45 days. Resumption of same NSAID allowed during second 45 days
Outcomes	Resumption of NSAIDS, time off NSAIDS, NSAID use (diclofenac equivalents), Lequesne index, pain VAS 0‐100, patient global 0‐4, physician global 0‐4
Notes	Confirmatory study design, power 80%, alpha 0.05. Reported compliance with Helsinki Declaration and ethics committee approval. Results favour intervention for reduced use of NSAIDs, but pain scores are similar in the two groups.
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Low risk	Described as randomised, in blocks of four, stratified according to site of arthritis (hip or knee), to one of two groups, using a table of random numbers
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Allocation concealment not reported
Blinding (performance bias and detection bias) All outcomes	Low risk	Described as double‐blind. Active intervention and placebo not distinguished by look, taste, smell or packaging
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Reported withdrawals (low risk) Included per protocol analysis only (unclear risk)
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	Low risk	Reported adverse events
Other bias	Low risk	Diagnosis and assessment consistent with ACR criteria