ISSN: 2167-0870
Katharina Knaub, Christiane Schön, Wilfried Alt, Shane Durkee, Zainulabedin Saiyed, Vijaya Juturu*
Joint discomfort is a common issue in athletes and healthy, active individuals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of UC-II® undenatured type II collagen (Undenatured Collagen) in managing knee joint discomfort and mobility in healthy subjects with Activity-related Joint Discomfort (ArJD). Subjects who reported knee pain of 5 on an 11-point Likert scale while performing a Single-Leg-Step-Down (SLSD) test were randomized to receive placebo (PLA, n=48), or Undenatured Collagen (n=48) for 24 weeks. Joint mobility was measured from the daily step number. Joint discomfort was evaluated using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaire, duration of pain during sporting activities and number of steps to reach defined pain levels during the SLSD test. A sub-analysis by gender showed a higher number of daily steps in males from the Undenatured Collagen group versus PLA (p=0.0374) after 24 weeks. In the SLSD test, the Undenatured Collagen group showed a significant change over time and baseline in the number of repetitions to reach pain 2 (p<0.05). Subjects in Undenatured Collagen group of 20-35 years old took more steps on the SLSD test before reporting the pain 5. A significant change over baseline for the pain duration after sports was further observed in 20-35 years old subjects (p<0.05). Analysis of KOOS demonstrated an improvement of subscale function in sport and recreation over time (p=0.0009) and of subscale quality of life over baseline (p<0.05) in the Undenatured Collagen group. In conclusion, the data suggests Undenatured Collagen reduces joint discomfort and improves mobility.