Summary
Objective
Methods
Results
Conclusion
Key words
Introduction
Methods
Participants
- Bellamy N.
- Klestov A.
- Muirden K.
- Kuhnert P.
- Do K.A.
- O'Gorman L.
- et al.
- Altman R.
- Asch E.
- Bloch D.
- Bole G.
- Borenstein D.
- Brandt K.
- et al.
Enrollment and randomization procedures

MSM dosage and preparation
Efficacy evaluations
- Davies G.M.
- Watson D.J.
- Bellamy N.
Adverse events evaluations
Statistical analysis
Results
Demographic profile
MSM (n=21) | Placebo (n=19) | |
---|---|---|
Sex (%) | ||
Men | 42.9 | 31.6 |
Women | 57.1 | 68.4 |
Age, mean (years) | 56.6 (SD=8.6) | 55.6 (SD=8.7) |
Ethnicity (%) | ||
White/non-Hispanic | 100 | 89.5 |
Asian/Pacific islander | 0 | 10.5 |
NSAID use (%) | 38.1 | 36.8 |
MSM use (%) | 28.6 | 26.3 |
DMSO use (%) | 9.5 | 5.3 |
Glucosamine plus chondroitin sulfate use (%) | 4.8 | 10.5 |
ACR functional capacity classification (%) | ||
I | 23.8 | 26.3 |
II | 71.4 | 68.4 |
III | 4.8 | 5.3 |
Kellgren–Lawrence grade (%) | ||
2 | 61.9 | 57.9 |
3 | 38.1 | 42.1 |
Arthritis duration, mean (years) | 5.8 (SD=5.5) | 5.9 (SD=5.2) |
Pain VAS, mean±s.e.m. (0–100 mm, VAS) | 58.0±5.5 | 55.1±5.8 |
Patient GA of disease status, mean±s.e.m. (0–4, Likert) | 3.0±0.1 | 2.8±0.2 |
Physician GA of disease status, mean±s.e.m. (0–4, Likert) | 2.8±0.2 | 2.5±0.1 |
Efficacy results
MSM (n=21) | Placebo (n=19) | Between group difference at 12 weeks P values | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Baseline mean±s.e.m. | 12 weeks mean±s.e.m. | Change±s.e.m. | Baseline mean±s.e.m. | 12 weeks mean±s.e.m. | Change±s.e.m. | ||
WOMAC (0–100 mm, VAS) | |||||||
Pain | 58.0±5.5 | 43.4±4.6 | −14.6±1.3 | 55.1±5.8 | 47.9±4.8 | −7.3±3.3 | 0.041 |
Stiffness | 51.2±5.4 | 41.1±4.8 | −10.1±2.6 | 55.2±6.2 | 48.7±6.8 | −6.5±2.4 | 0.320 |
Physical function | 51.5±4.5 | 35.8±3.2 | −15.7±2.0 | 52.9±5.9 | 44.1±5.1 | −8.8±2.7 | 0.045 |
Total symptoms | 53.6±4.9 | 40.1±3.9 | −13.4±1.7 | 54.4±5.6 | 46.9±5.2 | −7.5±2.5 | 0.054 |
Patient GA (0–4, Likert) | |||||||
Disease status | 3.0±0.1 | 2.5±0.2 | −0.5±0.2 | 2.8±0.2 | 2.5±0.2 | −0.3±0.2 | 0.549 |
Physician GA (0–4, Likert) | |||||||
Disease status | 2.8±0.2 | 2.5±0.1 | −0.3±0.1 | 2.5±0.1 | 2.3±0.2 | −0.2±0.2 | 0.447 |


Lab monitoring
MSM (n=21) | Placebo (n=19) | Between group difference at 12 weeks P values | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Baseline mean±s.e.m. | 12 weeks mean±s.e.m. | Change±s.e.m. | Baseline mean±s.e.m. | 12 weeks mean±s.e.m. | Change±s.e.m. | ||
Total cholesterol (mg/dL) | 213.5±10.4 | 203.5±8.5 | −10.0±3.2 | 201.5±9.8 | 193.7±9.9 | −7.8±2.7 | 0.607 |
Homocysteine (μmol/L) | 8.0±0.4 | 7.2±0.4 | −0.8±0.2 | 8.3±0.4 | 8.6±0.5 | 0.4±0.3 | 0.004 |
CRP (mg/L) | 1.6±0.3 | 1.5±0.2 | −0.1±0.2 | 2.3±0.4 | 2.3±0.4 | 0.1±0.2 | 0.540 |
ESR (mm/h) | 6.4±1.2 | 5.8±0.9 | −0.6±0.7 | 5.7±1.3 | 6.2±1.1 | 0.4±0.6 | 0.324 |
Urine MDA (μmol/L) | 16.7±1.0 | 14.3±0.8 | −2.4±0.9 | 15.0±1.0 | 16.3±0.9 | 1.3±1.0 | 0.010 |
Adverse events
Number (%) | ||
---|---|---|
MSM (n=21) | Placebo (n=19) | |
GI symptoms | ||
Bloating | 3 (25) | 2 (18) |
Constipation | 2 (17) | 2 (18) |
Indigestion | 1 (8) | 1 (9) |
Loose stool | 0 | 0 |
Gas | 0 | 0 |
Diarrhea | 0 | 0 |
Stomach pain | 0 | 0 |
Acid reflux | 0 | 0 |
Heartburn | 0 | 0 |
Vomiting | 0 | 0 |
Nausea | 0 | 0 |
Blood clotting | ||
Bruise easily | 0 | 0 |
Nose bleeding | 0 | 0 |
Bleeding (clotting) time longer | 0 | 0 |
Modified neurotoxic symptoms | ||
Cognitive function | ||
Fatigue | 2 (17) | 3 (27) |
Concentration | 1 (8) | 1 (9) |
Slowing | 0 | 0 |
Memory | 0 | 0 |
Motor coordination | 0 | 0 |
Language | 0 | 0 |
Peripheral neurological symptoms | ||
Sensory disturbance | 0 | 0 |
Muscle weakness | 0 | 0 |
Others | ||
Insomnia | 2 (17) | 1 (9) |
Headache | 1 (8) | 1 (9) |
Blurred vision | 0 | 0 |
Discussion
- Pearson T.A.
- Mensah G.A.
- Alexander R.W.
- Anderson J.L.
- Cannon 3rd, R.O.
- Criqui M.
- et al.
- Pearson T.A.
- Mensah G.A.
- Alexander R.W.
- Anderson J.L.
- Cannon 3rd, R.O.
- Criqui M.
- et al.
- Yudoh K.
- Nguyen T.
- Nakamura H.
- Hongo-Masuko K.
- Kato T.
- Nishioka K.
Acknowledgment
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Article info
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Footnotes
1Sources of support: Financial support from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences and grant sponsorship and products provided by Cardinal Nutrition.
2Conflict of interests: There is no conflict of interests in the preparation of this manuscript. None of the authors are employed by nor has any direct financial relationship with the project sponsor.
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