[Definitions and clinical experimentation of anti-osteoarthritis agents/chondro-protectors. Survey among private rheumatologists].

: Through osteoarthritis is the most common rheumatic disease its fundamental medicinal therapy(s) remain(s) still to be discovered. Definitions of the terms anti-osteoarthritic or chondroprotective agents vary according to the conceptual ideas in presence. They are discussed. In order to know the view point of private rheumatologists, a survey has been realised. 63 rheumatologists answered a questionnaire which included three parts: the first one, semantic, concerned definitions of anti-osteoarthritic and chondroprotective drugs and their respective place in therapeutic; a questionnaire of methodology was then exploring conception and organisation of clinical trials to assess such drugs in osteoarthritis; finally questions were asked on feasibility of such trials. The results are presented and discussed below.