The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) congratulates Daniel Clegg, M.D., Principal Investigator, and the Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) team on the presentation regarding their study at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting Plenary Session, November 14, 2005. This study of the popular dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate is an example of NCCAM's commitment to supporting rigorous research of complementary and alternative medicine approaches and therapies.

While we appreciate the desire of the media and the community to share the results of the GAIT study, NCCAM and our NIH study co-sponsor, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, are refraining from comment on the study until the full results are published in the peer-reviewed literature. In conjunction with publication in the literature, we will issue a press release and updated material about the study. At that time we will be happy to comment and answer questions, but we must support the embargo of the publication in which the study may appear.

Statement Attribution: NCCAM or Stephen E. Straus, M.D., Director, NCCAM

GAIT Background: Please see "Questions and Answers: NIH Glucosamine/Arthritis Intervention Trial" at http://nccam.nih.gov/news/19972000/121100/qa.htm.

Media Requests: The week of November 14, 2005, media requests will be handled by Daniel Clegg, M.D., GAIT Principal Investigator. Please contact Mr. Christopher Nelson or Mr. Phil Sahm at the University of Utah Health Sciences Public Affairs Office at 801-581-7387.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation's Medical Research Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov.