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Effect of collagen supplementation on osteoarthritis symptoms: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials

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Abstract

Purpose

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common causes of disability and a prevalent chronic disease. The use of collagen is growing due to the satisfactory results in the treatment of OA. However, the possible beneficial effects of collagen for the treatment of OA are currently controversial. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of collagen-based supplements on OA symptoms.

Methods

PubMed-Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were searched for randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluating the effect of orally administered collagen on OA symptoms using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scale and/or the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model and a generic inverse variance method. Heterogeneity was tested using the I2 statistic index.

Results

Collagen treatment showed a significant reduction in the score of total WOMAC index (WMD − 8.00; 95% CI − 13.04, − 2.95; p = 0.002). After subgroup analysis of the WOMAC subscores, the collagen supplementation revealed a significant decrease in the stiffness subscore (WMD − 0.41; 95% CI − 0.74, − 0.08; p = 0.01), whereas the pain (WMD − 0.22; 95% CI − 1.58, 1.13; p = 0.75) and functional limitation (WMD − 0.62; 95% CI − 5.77, 4.52; p = 0.81) subscores did not have significant differences. Finally, a significant reduction was found in the VAS score after collagen administration (WMD − 16.57; 95% CI − 26.24, − 6.89; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The results of this meta-analysis showed that collagen is effective in improving OA symptoms by the decrease of both total WOMAC index and VAS score.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México

    Juan Mario García-Coronado, Lorena Martínez-Olvera & Rodrigo E. Elizondo-Omaña

  2. Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, University Hospital “Dr. José Eleuterio González”, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Av. Francisco I. Madero and Av. Dr. José Eleuterio González, 64460, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México

    Carlos Alberto Acosta-Olivo, Félix Vilchez-Cavazos & Mario Simental-Mendía

  3. Biomedical Research Unit, Mexican Social Security Institute, Durango, Durango, México

    Luis Ernesto Simental-Mendía

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  1. Juan Mario García-Coronado
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Correspondence to Mario Simental-Mendía.

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García-Coronado, J.M., Martínez-Olvera, L., Elizondo-Omaña, R.E. et al. Effect of collagen supplementation on osteoarthritis symptoms: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 43, 531–538 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-018-4211-5

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