Table 1.
Main descriptive findings of the systematic reviews included.
| Author | Type of review | Mean GS dosage (mg) (number of studies) | Follow up in months (median) | Population | OA grade | Outcomes | Number of RCTs | GS | Placebo | Total sample size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dostrovsky et al.43 | Systematic review | 1500 (n = 2) | 3 | General population | – | Glucose parameters | 2 | 18 | 16 | 34 |
| Eriksen et al.21 | Meta-analysis | 1500 (n = 13); lower dosages >750 (n = 8) | 3 | OA | K–L grade 2–3 | Pain (n = 9 WOMAC; n = 3 VAS; n = 1 numeric rating scale; n = 8 not reported) | 21 | 1334 | 1303 | 2637 |
| Gallagher et al.51 | Meta-analysis | 1500 (n = 2) | 36 | KOA | K–L grade 2–3 | OA progression, JSW | 2 | 207 | 207 | 414 |
| Gregori et al.46 | Network meta-analysis | 1500 (n = 2) | 36 | KOA | K–L grade 2–3 | Physical function | 1 | 207 | 207 | 414 |
| Honvo et al.50 | Meta-analysis | 1500 (n = 5) | 3 | OA | Not reported | Adverse events (total and specific) | 5 | 316 | 316 | 632 |
| Knapik et al.47 | Meta-analysis | 1500 (n = 2) | 36 | OA | Not reported | JSW | 2 | 207 | 207 | 414 |
| Lee et al.52 | Meta-analysis | 1500 (n = 2) | 36 | KOA | K–L grade 2–3 | JSW at 1 year and 3 years | 2 | 207 | 207 | 414 |
| Melo et al.48 | Systematic review | 1200 (n = 1) | 1.5 | TMJ OA | – | Pain (scale not reported) | 1 | 30 | 29 | 59 |
| Richy et al.41 | Meta-analysis | 1500 (n = 3) | 3 | OA | K–L grade 2–3 | JS narrowing, Lequesne Index, VAS pain, mobility, being a responder | 7 | 511 | 509 | 1020 |
| Simental-Mendìa et al.49 | Meta-analysis | 1500 (n = 5) | 3 | KOA | K–L grade 2–3 | Pain (VAS), WOMAC (total score), WOMAC physical function, WOMAC stiffness, WOMAC pain | 5 | 267 | 271 | 538 |
| Sodha et al.44 | Systematic review | 1500 (n = 1) | 6 | Spine OA | – | Pain (n = 1 numeric rating scale) | 1 | 125 | 125 | 250 |
GS, glucose sulphate; JS, joint space; JSW, joint space width; K–L, Kellgren and Lawrence; KOA, knee osteoarthritis; OA, osteoarthritis; RCT, randomised controlled trial; TMJ OA, temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis; VAS, visual analogue scale; WOMAC, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index.