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Journal of veterinary internal medicine2012; 26(3); 448-456; doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00901.x

Systematic review of efficacy of nutraceuticals to alleviate clinical signs of osteoarthritis.

Abstract: Various treatments of osteoarthritis (OA) have been described, including use of nutraceuticals. Objective: To review systematically the literature about the effects of nutraceuticals on clinical signs of pain or abnormal locomotion in horses, dogs, and cats, and to discuss methodological aspects of trials and systematic reviews. Methods: A systematic search of controlled trials evaluating the impact of nutraceuticals on OA in horses, dogs, and cats was performed, using Medline, CAB Abstracts, and Google Scholar. Scientific evidence was evaluated by means of criteria proposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and a scoring system adapted from both the CONsolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement and recommendations for assessing trials by the Center of Evidence Based Medicine of Oxford. Results: Twenty-two papers were selected and reviewed, with 5 studies performed in horses, 16 in dogs, and 1 in cats. The strength of evidence was low for all nutraceuticals except for omega-3 fatty acid in dogs. There were limited numbers of rigorous randomized controlled trials and of participants in clinical trials. Conclusions: The evidence of efficacy of nutraceuticals is poor, with the exception of diets supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids in dogs. Greater access to systematic reviews must be part of the objectives of the veterinary science in the future. Their reporting would be improved by internationally agreed-upon criteria for standards and guidelines.
Copyright © 2012 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2012-03-09 PubMed ID: 22404506DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00901.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research paper is a systematic review investigating the effectiveness of nutraceuticals, or natural health products, in alleviating the symptoms of osteoarthritis in cats, dogs, and horses. The study found low strength evidence supporting the efficacy of all nutraceuticals, except for omega-3 fatty acids in dogs.

Objective and Methodology

The study aimed to review available literature on the effects of nutraceuticals on symptoms such as pain and abnormal locomotion in pets with osteoarthritis. These pets include horses, dogs, and cats.

  • The researchers systematically searched for controlled trials that evaluated the effects of nutraceuticals on pets with osteoarthritis, using databases like Medline, CAB Abstracts, and Google Scholar.
  • The quality of scientific evidence was evaluated using criteria set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
  • They also adapted a scoring system from the CONsolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement and recommendations by the Center of Evidence Based Medicine of Oxford to assess the trials.

Results

The researchers studied 22 papers in total, with 5 studies on horses, 16 on dogs, and 1 on cats.

  • The study found that there is low strength evidence for the effectiveness of all nutraceuticals, with the exception of omega-3 fatty acid in dogs.
  • According to the research, there is a lack of rigorous randomized controlled trials and a low number of participants in clinical trials.

Conclusions

The study concludes that there is generally poor evidence to support the efficacy of nutraceuticals for osteoarthritis in pets, except for diets supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids in dogs.

  • The study also advocates for better access to systematic reviews for future veterinary science objectives.
  • The researchers suggest improving research reporting via internationally accepted criteria for standards and guidelines.

Cite This Article

APA
Vandeweerd JM, Coisnon C, Clegg P, Cambier C, Pierson A, Hontoir F, Saegerman C, Gustin P, Buczinski S. (2012). Systematic review of efficacy of nutraceuticals to alleviate clinical signs of osteoarthritis. J Vet Intern Med, 26(3), 448-456. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00901.x

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 26
Issue: 3
Pages: 448-456

Researcher Affiliations

Vandeweerd, J-M
  • Facultés universitaires Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix, URVI (Unité de Recherche Vétérinaire Intégrée), Namur, Belgique. jean-michel.vandeweerd@fundp.ac.be
Coisnon, C
    Clegg, P
      Cambier, C
        Pierson, A
          Hontoir, F
            Saegerman, C
              Gustin, P
                Buczinski, S

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Animals
                  • Cat Diseases / diet therapy
                  • Cats
                  • Clinical Trials as Topic
                  • Dietary Supplements
                  • Dog Diseases / diet therapy
                  • Dogs
                  • Evidence-Based Medicine / methods
                  • Horse Diseases / diet therapy
                  • Horses
                  • Osteoarthritis / diet therapy
                  • Osteoarthritis / veterinary

                  Citations

                  This article has been cited 31 times.
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