Study on glucosamine by COM alums Ryan Murphy, Mona Doss, along with Edward Jaccoma, garners national media attention

A study on glucosamine supplements and glaucoma conducted by two UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine alumni while they were students at UNECOM working with Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery Edward Hall Jaccoma, M.D. , recently garnered national attention in such online media outlets as U.S. News and World Report, Consumer Affairs and Medscape.

Ryan Murphy, DO '11, and Mona Doss, DO '13, along with Jaccoma, who is also director of Southern Maine Eye Associates in Sanford and of New England Dry Eye Center in Kennebunk, Maine, co-authored the study, which was published online May 23 in JAMA Ophthalmology.

Glucosamine supplements are taken by millions of Americans to help treat hip and knee osteoarthritis but they may have an unexpected side effect: They may increase risk for developing glaucoma, this study of older adults suggests.

This research stems from an observation in clinic that patients with arthritis and issues of glaucoma or elevated IOP (intraocular pressure) had relatively higher measured IOP on glucosamine supplementation. This research was done as an initial study to examine if there may be a causal relationship. The authors recommend further studies, such as randomized trials with controls to look at dose-dependent increases in IOP.

"This study shows a reversible effect of these changes, which is reassuring," the researchers wrote. "However, the possibility that permanent damage can result from prolonged use of glucosamine supplementation is not eliminated. Monitoring IOP in patients choosing to supplement with glucosamine may be indicated."

Murphy is currently resident in physical medicine & rehabilitation at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. Doss is beginning a pediatric residency at the University of Connecticut.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.