Symptomatic and chondroprotective treatment with collagen derivatives in osteoarthritis: a systematic review

Van Vijven JP, Luijsterburg PA, Verhagen AP, van Osch GJ, Kloppenburg M, Bierma-Zeinstra SM · Osteoarthritis and Cartilage

The first rigorous independent appraisal, and it was null. Pooled mean difference for WOMAC pain, collagen hydrolysate versus placebo across three studies, was -0.49 (95% CI -1.10 to 0.12) — the confidence interval crosses zero. The authors found insufficient evidence to recommend generalized use of collagen hydrolysates in daily practice.

Population

Eight randomized or quasi-randomized trials — six collagen hydrolysate, two gelatine, one undenatured collagen

Intervention

Collagen derivatives

Comparator

Placebo

Limitations

Only eight studies were available in 2011 and only three could be pooled, so this predates most of the current literature; the 2024 trial-sequential meta-analysis (pmid-38218227) supersedes it on quantity. Retained because it is the earliest independent read and because it establishes that the field's positive consensus was not always there. Independent (Erasmus MC).