Objective: To determine the benefit of low dose oral cetylated fatty acids (CFA) on function and pain in subjects with moderate osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.

Methods: 93 subjects were evaluated at baseline, and again at 4 and 8 weeks after consuming either placebo (n=46) or CFA (n=47). Evaluations included the 6-minute timed walk, VAS pain scales, WOMAC, the Lequesne Algofunctional Index (LAI) and other measures of knee function.

Results: All 93 subjects completed the study, and between-group comparisons indicated a statistically significant improvement in the distance walked in 6 minutes in the CFA treated group at 2 weeks (+232.57 ft v. -119.01 ft, p=0.0002), 4 weeks (+330.09 ft v. -113.76ft, p<0.0001), and 8 weeks (+537.42 ft v. -105.57ft, p<0.0001). Average pain severity decreased significantly in the CFA group on all 4 VAS items after 2 weeks and was statistically superior across all VAS items at 8 weeks compared to the subjects who received placebo (p<0.02 to p<0.0003). All other pain and function scores showed significant changes from baseline to end of treatment in both groups but no significant between-group differences were found. No adverse events were reported.

Conclusion: Subjects with moderate OA of the knee who received cetylated fatty acids achieved significant improvements in their functional self-efficacy coupled with a significant reduction in their knee pain compared with those who received placebo.