A influência da suplementação de sulfato de condroitina na dor e nos aspectos funcionais associados à osteoartrose

Introduction: Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of limitation of functionality and disability in the elderly. The supplementation with chondroitin sulfate is among the pharmacological treatments. Objective: To conduct a systematic review of the influence of chondroitin sulfate on pain and functional aspects associated with osteoarthritis. Methods: The keywords “osteoarthritis” and “chondroitin” were used. The articles were selected independently and blindly by two researchers. Only primary clinical trial, written in Portuguese, English and Spanish in the period between 2005 to 2013 were included. The PEDro scale was used as an evaluation tool. Results: A total of 1.916 studies with appropriate descriptors were found, and nine of these papers remained for analysis. Of these nine studies analyzed, four showed the effectiveness of supplementation of chondroitin sulfate in reducing pain and functional disability, while five studies showed no statistically significant effects. Conclusions: The influence of chondroitin sulfate in pain and functional aspects in osteoarthritis remains questionable.