Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40123938›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in nutrition2025

Efficacy of dietary supplements for treating knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Pupu Du, Asha Ajia, Zhi Xiang, Shang Zheng, Chenming Hu, Pingxi Wang

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in nutrition, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Pupu DuDazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, Sichuan, China.
Asha AjiaSchool of Clinical Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China.
Zhi XiangFirst School of Clinical Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
Shang ZhengSchool of Clinical Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China.
Chenming HuSchool of Clinical Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China.
Pingxi WangOrthopaedics of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, Sichuan, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) stands as a prevalent clinical condition that frequently affects individuals. A growing body of research has highlighted the potential advantages of dietary supplements, including glucosamine and chondroitin, in the management of KOA. Purpose: This study aims to ascertain the most efficacious dietary supplement for KOA, with a specific focus on reducing pain, alleviating stiffness, and enhancing joint function. Methods: We conducted an exhaustive search of multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, from inception to May 2023. We specifically focused on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing various dietary supplements with the placebo group within the context of KOA. Assessment of outcomes among these groups relied on the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), with weighted mean differences (WMDs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) computed. Network meta-analyses were employed to compare outcomes across different supplement groups in comparison with the placebo. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was utilized to rank these supplements. Results: Our comprehensive analysis included 22 studies with 2,777 participants in total. The outcomes from our network meta-analysis yielded the following key findings: To reduce the total WOMAC score, the top three interventions were E-OA-7, LParActin, and LcS. For reducing the WOMAC score of pain, the most effective interventions were Aflapin, NEM, and PFP. In addressing the reduction of the WOMAC score of stiffness, NEM, Aflapin, and MSM emerged as the optimal interventions. Finally, for diminishing the WOMAC score of physical function, the most effective interventions were E-OA-7, LParActin, and LcS. Conclusion: In comparison to the placebo, NEM (for stiffness), Aflapin (for pain), and E-OA-07 (for knee function and WOMAC total score) were discerned as the most effective interventions for the treatment of KOA. Clinical trial registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/.

Indexed as

dietary supplementefficacyknee osteoarthritisnetwork meta-analysissystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40123938
PMCPMC11925762

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.