Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of combination therapy with celecoxib (CEL) and glucosamine hydrochloride (GH) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHODS: A total of 115 KOA patients were retrospectively analyzed and divided into a research group that received CEL combined with GH (n=62), while the control group received CEL alone (n=53). Clinical outcomes, safety, pain severity, knee joint function, quality of life (QoL), bone metabolic markers, and inflammatory indicators were assessed and compared between the groups. Factors associated with treatment efficacy were also analyzed. RESULTS: The research group showed a significantly higher overall response rate (P=0.018), with no increase in adverse events (P>0.05). Compared to the control group, patients receiving combination therapy experienced greater improvements in pain relief, joint function, QoL, and bone metabolism, along with a more pronounced reduction in inflammatory markers (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis identified advanced age, alcohol consumption, and smoking history as independent risk factors for poor therapeutic response (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy with CEL and GH provides superior clinical benefits for KOA management. However, its efficacy may be reduced in older patients and those with a history of alcohol use or smoking.