No difference between intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid and placebo for mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial.

Abstract

The main goal of our study was to examine the effectiveness and safety of Fermathron plus, a specific brand of hyaluronic acid (HA), in patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. In a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial, 196 patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (mean age ± SD, 59.4 ± 9.9 years, Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1-3) were given either 3 weekly intra-articular injections of HA or saline (placebo). Although pain and functional scores (WOMAC scale) improved significantly from baseline up to 6 months, HA was not superior to placebo at any follow-up (VAS pain 50 m walking from 56.4 to 38.1, P < .001, and 58.2 to 39.6, P < .001, respectively). No subgroup analysis resulted in superior outcomes. No serious adverse events were noticed.

• Authors: Walter van der Weegen, Jorgen A Wullems, Ellis Bos, Hub Noten, Rogier A M van Drumpt
• Journal: The Journal of arthroplasty (J Arthroplasty) Vol. 30 Issue 5 Pg. 754-7 (May 2015) ISSN: 1532-8406 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25548079 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Hyaluronic Acid

Topics

• Aged
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Hyaluronic Acid (administration & dosage)
• Injections, Intra-Articular
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Osteoarthritis, Knee (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Pain (drug therapy)
• Pain Measurement
• Severity of Illness Index
• Treatment Outcome