Effectiveness of intra-articular injections of sodium hyaluronate-chondroitin sulfate in knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter prospective study

摘要

class="Heading">Background id="Par1" class="Para">Intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid is a well-established therapy for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of the use of Arthrum HCS? (40?mg hyaluronic acid and 40?mg chondroitin sulfate in 2?mL). class="Heading">Materials and methods id="Par2" class="Para">This was an open, multicenter, prospective study. Men or women over 40?years of age with documented knee osteoarthritis and WOMAC subscore A (severity of pain)?≥25 were enrolled. They received three weekly intra-articular injections of sodium hyaluronate 2?% and chondroitin sulfate 2?% in combination. WOMAC subscore A was assessed at 1, 3 and 6?months after the last injection. class="Heading">Results id="Par3" class="Para">One hundred and twelve patients were included (women, 66?%). The mean (SD) WOMAC subscore A decreased from 52.1 (15.2) at inclusion to 20.5 (19.7) at month 6 (P??0.0001). The mean subscore was already significantly decreased 1?month after the last injection at 25.7 (P??0.0001). Pain relief and consumption of analgesic drugs, both assessed with visual analogic scale (VAS), consistently decreased. The investigators were satisfied/very satisfied as regards the therapeutic effectiveness of sodium hyaluronate-chondroitin sulfate in reducing pain (77?%), improving mobility (78?%) and reducing the consumption of analgesics (74?%). Only one adverse effect was reported by one patient (knee tumefaction). class="Heading">Conclusion id="Par4" class="Para">These results suggest that intra-articular injections of Arthrum HCS? (sodium hyaluronate plus chondroitin sulfate) in patients with knee osteoarthritis are efficient and safe. These results should be confirmed in a randomized controlled study. class="Heading">Level of evidence class="Para">IV.