Double-blind study of s-adenosyl-methionine versus placebo in hip and knee arthrosis

A double-blind study comparing the efficacy and tolerability of S-Adenosyl-Methionine (SAMe) (39 patients, 400 mg t.i.d.) versus placebo (37 patients) in the treatment of osteoarthrosis of hip and or knee was carried out. A significant improvement in all 5 clinical parameters of SAMe group and in 3 out of 5 of placebo group was obtained. The comparison between the two groups showed a noticeable change in favour of SAMe in all clinical parameters, a statistical significance being obtained only in 2. Side effects were experienced in 3 patients receiving SAMe and in 6 of placebo group. They were mainly gastro-intestinal. All 3 patients of SAMe group and 2 of those receiving placebo withdrew the treatment. Both groups (39 patients on SAMe and 37 on placebo) were homogenous as far as age, sex, weight, duration of disease, functional class and baseline status of arthrosis are concerned.