Nemanja Damjanov, Snezana Novkovic, Milica Basaric, Aleksandra Karadzov Nikolic, Katarina Vagic, Nada Pejnovic and VesnaKaric
Abstract
Objective: NEM® Brand Eggshell Membrane contains collagen and glycosaminoglycans that have beneficial effects in the
treatment of Osteoarthritis (OA). A single-center, open-label clinical study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of NEM®
in management of pain and stiffness associated with knee OA.
Methods: Seventy subjects with knee OA received oral NEM® 500 mg once daily for 60 days. The primary outcome measure
was to evaluate the effectiveness of NEM® in reducing pain and stiffness associated with knee OA. The primary endpoints were the
change in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS pain) and
Lequesne Algofunctional Index measured after 10, 30 and 60 days of NEM® supplementation.
Results: NEM® treatment resulted in reduction of WOMAC overall scores at 10 days (16.6%, p=0.012), at 30 days (31.8%,
p<0.0001) and at 60 days (46.7%, p<0.0001) post-treatment compared to baseline values. VAS pain was reduced at 10 days
(19.6%, p<0.0001), at 30 days (31.8%, p<0.0001) and at 60 days (49.0%, p<0.0001). Overall Lequesne scores were reduced at
10 days (11.2%, p=0.0002), at 30 days (24.0%, p<0.0001) and at 60 days (36.8%, p<0.0001). In a Global Assessment, 68.6% of
patients and 78.6% physicians rated the efficacy of NEM® as excellent or good. Three mild and transient, and no serious adverse
events were reported.
Conclusions: NEM® supplementation resulted in rapid and significant reduction of joint pain and stiffness (at 10 days) which
were further improved at 60 days. NEM® treatment was safe and well tolerated.