Pharmaceutical-grade Chondroitin sulfate is as effective as celecoxib and superior to placebo in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: the ChONdroitin versus CElecoxib versus Placebo Trial (CONCEPT)

This 2017 randomized, double-blind, placebo- and celecoxib-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical-grade chondroitin sulfate (CS) 800 mg/day in 604 patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis over 6 months. CS demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in pain (−42.6 mm on VAS) and improvement in function (−4.7 on Lequesne Index)