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Meta-Analysis
. 2022 Apr 12;14(8):1607.
doi: 10.3390/nu14081607.

A Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Nutritional Supplementation on Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Sylvain Mathieu  1   2 , Martin Soubrier  1 , Cedric Peirs  2 , Laurent-Emmanuel Monfoulet  3 , Yves Boirie  3   4 , Anne Tournadre  1   3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

A Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Nutritional Supplementation on Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Sylvain Mathieu et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Conflicting evidence exists concerning the effects of nutrient intake in osteoarthritis (OA). A systematic literature review and meta-analysis were performed using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library up to November 2021 to assess the effects of nutrients on pain, stiffness, function, quality of life, and inflammation markers. We obtained 52 references including 50 on knee OA. Twelve studies compared 724 curcumin patients and 714 controls. Using the standardized mean difference, improvement was significant with regard to pain and function in the curcumin group compared to placebo, but not with active treatment (i.e., nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, chondroitin, or paracetamol). Three studies assessed the effects of ginger on OA symptoms in 166 patients compared to 164 placebo controls. Pain was the only clinical parameter that significantly decreased. Vitamin D supplementation caused a significant decrease in pain and function. Omega-3 and vitamin E caused no changes in OA parameters. Herbal formulations effects were significant only for stiffness compared to placebo, but not with active treatment. A significant decrease in inflammatory markers was found, especially with ginger. Thus, curcumin and ginger supplementation can have a favorable impact on knee OA symptoms. Other studies are needed to better assess the effects of omega-3 and vitamin D.

Keywords: efficacy; meta-analysis; nutrients; osteoarthritis; systematic literature review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) diagram.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plot of the effects of curcumin on pain. ID = study identity; SMD = standard mean difference; CI = confidence interval.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Overall effects of nutritional supplements in osteoarthritis patients compared to controls. Data are shown as the standardized mean differences (SMDs) and confidence intervals. VAS = visual analogic scale; CRP = C reactive protein; ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate; WOMAC = Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effects of curcumin and herbal formulations on osteoarthritis parameters depending on type of control. Data are presented at standardized mean differences (SMDs) and confidence intervals. VAS = visual analogic scale; WOMAC = Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index; QoL = quality of life.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Effects of curcumin and herbal formulations on osteoarthritis parameters depending on Jadad score. Data are presented at standardized mean differences (SMDs) and confidence intervals. VAS = visual analogic scale; WOMAC = Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. QoL = quality of life.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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