Efficacy of Intra-articular Injection of a Newly Developed Plasma Rich in Growth Factor (PRGF) Versus Hyaluronic Acid on Pain and Function of Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Single-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

摘要

Background and objectives:Knee osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of intra-articular injection of a newly developed plasma rich in growth factor (PRGF) versus hyaluronic acid (HA) on pain and function of patients with knee osteoarthritis.Methods:In this single-blinded randomized clinical trial, patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of knee were assigned to receive 2 intra-articular injections of our newly developed PRGF in 3?weeks or 3 weekly injections of HA. Our primary outcome was the mean change from baseline until 2 and 6?months post intervention in scores of visual analog scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Lequesne index. We used analysis of variance for repeated-measures statistical test.Results:A total of 69 patients entered final analysis. The mean age of patients was 58.2?±?7.41?years and 81.2% were women. In particular, total WOMAC index decreased from 42.9?±?13.51 to 26.8?±?13.45 and 24.4?±?16.54 at 2 and 6?months in the newly developed PRGF group (within subjects P?=?.001), and from 38.8?±?12.62 to 27.8?±?11.01 and 27.4?±?11.38 at 2 and 6?months in the HA group (within subjects P?=?.001), respectively (between subjects P?=?.631). There was no significant difference between PRGF and HA groups in patients’ satisfaction and minor complications of injection, whereas patients in HA group reported significantly lower injection-induced pain.Conclusions:In 6 months follow up, our newly developed PRGF and HA, both are effective options to decrease pain and improvement of function in patients with symptomatic mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis.