Intra-articular corticosteroids are effective in osteoarthritis but there are no clinical predictors of response.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To show whether intra-articular steroid injections are effective in osteoarthritis; to determine factors that predict response; and to determine whether injection has a beneficial effect on muscle strength.

METHODS:

Double blind, placebo controlled, crossover study in 59 patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee. Outcome measure-Primary outcome measure: change in visual analogue score for pain at three weeks. Predictors of response analysed using logistic regression with a 15% decrease in pain score at three weeks defining response.

RESULTS:

Intra-articular methyl prednisolone acetate produced a significant reduction in visual analogue pain score at three weeks compared to both baseline (median change -2.0 mm, interquartile range -16.25 to 4.0) and placebo (median 0.0 mm, interquartile range -9.0 to 6.25). No clinical predictors of response could be identified. Muscle strength was not significantly improved in the short term by intra-articular injection.

CONCLUSIONS:

Intra-articular corticosteroids are effective for short term relief of pain in osteoarthritis but predicting responders is not possible. There may be a place for their more widespread use.

• Authors: A Jones, M Doherty
• Journal: Annals of the rheumatic diseases (Ann Rheum Dis) Vol. 55 Issue 11 Pg. 829-32 (Nov 1996) ISSN: 0003-4967 [Print] England
• PMID: 8976640 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Prednisolone

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Analysis of Variance
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Cross-Over Studies
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Injections, Intra-Articular
• Knee Joint (pathology)
• Logistic Models
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Muscles (physiopathology)
• Osteoarthritis (drug therapy, pathology, physiopathology)
• Pain Measurement
• Prednisolone (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome