[Chondromodulation in 2003: dream or reality?].

The use of drugs for the treatment of osteoarthritis, with a view to obtain a long-term symptomatic as well as structural benefit, is still in a preliminary state. Nowadays, matricial precursors, such as glucosamine sulfate, are an interesting approach in this indication. They have demonstrated a symptomatic efficacy comparable to that of N.S.A.I.D., with significantly reduced side-effects. Glucosamine sulfate also appears to positively interfere with the structural evolution of osteoarthritis by preventing joint space narrowing which characterizes the evolution of the disease. Encouraging results have also been obtained with chondroitin sulfate and diacerein. As for other molecules, new studies should be undertaken to confirm the results already obtained.