Dr. Hochberg acknowledged that despite the panel’s use of the rigorous evidence-based approach, the conditional recommendations for use of tai chi and acupuncture might prove controversial, as might the conditional recommendations against the use of intra-articular therapies for hand OA and glucosamine/chondroitin. The non-recommendation for the latter nutraceuticals was based on negative studies conducted on the products that are sold over the counter in the United States and Canada, which are different from the pharmaceutically produced preparations tested and sold in Europe, Dr. Hochberg explained.
Of note, there are no strong recommendations for pharmaceutical treatment of any joint area.
Dr. Hochberg disclosed that he has financial relationships with Abbott, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer Health Care, Bioiberica, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CombinatoRx, Covidien, Eli Lilly, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Hoffman-La Roche, Merck, Merck Serono International, NicOx, Novartis, Pfizer, Pozen, Rand Corporation, Sanofi-Aventis, Smith & Nephew, Stryker Biotech, Theralogix, TransPharma Medical, and UCB. He receives research support from the NIH.