Abstract

MONGIL, E. et al. Symptomatic slow acting drugs for os-teoarthritis (Sysadoa). Rev. Soc. Esp. Dolor [online]. 2006, vol.13, n.7, pp.485-496. ISSN 1134-8046.

Arthrosis, or osteoarthrosis (OA) is the most common disease of the musculoskeletal system, generates the largest medical expense and is the main cause for disability or invalidity of all the chronic diseases. Its incidence is around 11 % in the Spanish population, bearing an important medical expense. It is an arthropathy characterized by degeneration and loss of the articular cartilage. Pain and and functional impotence are present, and can affect one or more joints. Nowadays the concept of the pathology of the disease has changed, giving more importance to the chondrocyte and the inflammatory response, looking for the possibility of acting pharmacologically on the chondrocyte, which would delay this degenerative process. Since the nineties there is an increasing interest in the so called chondroprotector or chondromodulating agents. They are known as SYSADOA (Symptomatic Slow Acting Drugs for Osteoarthritis). Clinical trials carried out with these substances have demonstrated a moderate improvement in the OA´s symptomatology, acting upon the slow onset symptoms. The European Society of Rheumatology 2003 Recommendations state the efficacy of glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, diacerein and hyaluronic acid for the treatment of the disease, being recommended to improve the symptoms and as possible modifiers in the progression of the cartilage structural damage. The aim of this article is to provide information regarding these drugs, their mechanism of action, indication, dose and route of administration.

Keywords : osteoarthrosis; SYSADOA; glucosamine sulphate; chondroitin sulphate; diacerein; hyaluronic acid.

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