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Meta-analysis of the related nutritional supplements dimethyl sulfoxide and methylsulfonylmethane in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee

Meta-analysis of the related nutritional supplements dimethyl sulfoxide and methylsulfonylmethane in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee
Meta-analysis of the related nutritional supplements dimethyl sulfoxide and methylsulfonylmethane in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee
Dimethyl sulphoxide and methylsulfonylmethane are two related nutritional supplements used for symptomatic relief of osteoarthritis (OA). We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate their efficacy in reducing pain associated with OA. Randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials (RCTs), identified by systematic electronic searches, citation tracking and searches of clinical trial registries, assessing these supplements in osteoarthritis of any joint were considered for inclusion. Meta-analysis, based on difference in mean pain related outcomes between treatment and comparator groups, was carried out based on a random effect model. Seven potential trials were identified of which three RCTs, two DMSO and one MSM (total N = 326 patients) were eligible for inclusion. All three trials were considered high methodological quality. A significant degree of heterogeneity ({chi}2 = 6.28, P = 0.043) was revealed. Two studies demonstrated statistically significant (but not clinically relevant) reduction in pain compared with controls; with one showing no group difference. The meta-analysis confirmed a non significant reduction of pain on visual analogue scale of 6.34 mm (SE = 3.49, 95% CI, –0.49, 13.17). The overall effect size of 1.82 was neither statistically nor clinically significant. Current evidence suggests DMSO and MSM are not clinically effective in the reduction of pain in the treatment of OA. No definitive conclusions can currently be drawn from the data due to the mixed findings and the use of inadequate dosing periods.
1741-4288
1-10
Brien, Sarah
4e8e97cd-7bc3-4efd-857e-20790040b80f
Prescott, Phil
cf0adfdd-989b-4f15-9e60-ef85eed817b2
Lewith, George
0fc483fa-f17b-47c5-94d9-5c15e65a7625
Brien, Sarah
4e8e97cd-7bc3-4efd-857e-20790040b80f
Prescott, Phil
cf0adfdd-989b-4f15-9e60-ef85eed817b2
Lewith, George
0fc483fa-f17b-47c5-94d9-5c15e65a7625

Brien, Sarah, Prescott, Phil and Lewith, George (2009) Meta-analysis of the related nutritional supplements dimethyl sulfoxide and methylsulfonylmethane in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 1-10. (doi:10.1093/ecam/nep045).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Dimethyl sulphoxide and methylsulfonylmethane are two related nutritional supplements used for symptomatic relief of osteoarthritis (OA). We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate their efficacy in reducing pain associated with OA. Randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials (RCTs), identified by systematic electronic searches, citation tracking and searches of clinical trial registries, assessing these supplements in osteoarthritis of any joint were considered for inclusion. Meta-analysis, based on difference in mean pain related outcomes between treatment and comparator groups, was carried out based on a random effect model. Seven potential trials were identified of which three RCTs, two DMSO and one MSM (total N = 326 patients) were eligible for inclusion. All three trials were considered high methodological quality. A significant degree of heterogeneity ({chi}2 = 6.28, P = 0.043) was revealed. Two studies demonstrated statistically significant (but not clinically relevant) reduction in pain compared with controls; with one showing no group difference. The meta-analysis confirmed a non significant reduction of pain on visual analogue scale of 6.34 mm (SE = 3.49, 95% CI, –0.49, 13.17). The overall effect size of 1.82 was neither statistically nor clinically significant. Current evidence suggests DMSO and MSM are not clinically effective in the reduction of pain in the treatment of OA. No definitive conclusions can currently be drawn from the data due to the mixed findings and the use of inadequate dosing periods.

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Published date: 2009

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 72928
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/72928
ISSN: 1741-4288
PURE UUID: f7f2b716-79c0-425e-96af-ac3c5a14a4b4
ORCID for Sarah Brien: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-1120-2364

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Date deposited: 25 Feb 2010
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 02:45

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Author: Sarah Brien ORCID iD
Author: Phil Prescott
Author: George Lewith

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