Effect of supplementation with type 1 and type 3 collagen peptide and type 2 hydrolyzed collagen on osteoarthritis-related pain, quality of life, and physical function: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Naturagen® 4 Joint product, containing type 1, 2, and 3 collagen, on pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA) and to evaluate its effects on quality of life and physical functioning.

Patients and methods: This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study included a total of 31 patients (8 males, 23 females; mean age: 53.5±9.1 years; range, 35 to 65 years) with Grade 2-3 OA according to the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) classification system between June 2023 and November 2023. The patients were divided into two groups: a collagen group (n=16) and a placebo group (n=15). The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS-PS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), Foot Function Index (FFI), Timed Up and Go (TUG), 6-Min Walking Test (6MWT), Five Repetition Sit to Stand Test (5STS), Stair Climbing Test (SCT), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used. All tests were performed before and after eight weeks of collagen supplementation.

Results: Eight weeks of collagen supplementation yielded notable enhancements across all osteoarthritis-related pain and quality of life scales evaluated, including VAS, WOMAC, KOOS-PS, OKS, TSK, SF-12, and FFI scores (p<0.05). In functional evaluations, there were significant positive effects of collagen use in BBS and 6MWT results (p<0.05). In TUG, 5STS, and SCT tests, no significant difference was found between the groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Our study results suggest that the eight-week collagen-based supplement exerts a favorable effect on pain and quality of life levels, as well as some functional test results.

Figure 1. Study flowchart.

Figure 2. Intra-group and inter-group analysis of foot function index results.: FFI: Foot Function Index; * p<0.05.

Figure 3. Intra-group and inter-group analysis of functional test and scale results.: TUG: Timed Up and Go test; 5STS: Five Repetition Sit to Stand test; SCT: Stair climbing test; 6MWT: Six-Minute Walking test; BBS: Berg Balance Scale; * p<0.05.