Evaluation of the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of intra-articular hyaluronic acid in patients with knee osteoarthritis

• Main Authors: S. G. Anikin, N. G. Kashevarova, T. A. Korotkova, E. P. Sharapova, L. I. Alekseeva
• Format: Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: IMA-PRESS LLC 2017-09-01
• Series: Современная ревматология
• Subjects: osteoarthritis; hyaluronic acid; intra-articular administration
• Online Access: https://mrj.ima-press.net/mrj/article/view/775

Objective: to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (hyalurom) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).Patients and methods. A 6-month prospective trial enrolled 20 women aged 45–75 years (61±7 years) with primary knee OA of Kellgren–Lawrence grades II (85%) and III (15%) who needed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The disease duration averaged 6.6±2.4 years. The mean body mass index was 33±5 kg/m2. Intra-articular administration of hyalurom was made; its cycle included 3 injections at a 1-week interval; a further follow-up was performed during 6 months. All the participants completed the trial.Results. In the first month of therapy, its effect was developed in the majority (75%) of the patients. There was a substantial reduction in total WOMAC scores by an average of 29% at 1 month, by 27% at 3 and 6 months (p<0.01); pain by 35% at 1 month, by 32% at 3 months, and by 36% at 6 months (p<0.01); stiffness, by 37, 38, and 39% (p<0.01); and functional failure by 29, 25, and 23%, respectively (p<0.01). The effect of therapy in most (80%) patients persisted throughout the follow-up period; only 10% of patients continued to take NSAIDs with the same frequency at 6 months; 60% used them on-demand, and 30% did not need NSAID therapy. No adverse reactions associated with the therapy performed were detected during the follow-up period.Conclusion. Hyalurom has a significant symptomatic effect and a good tolerability in the treatment of knee OA.