Editorial Commentary: Meta-analysis Shows That Platelet-Rich Plasma Is Safe and Effective for Knee Osteoarthritis: Future Randomized Controlled Trials Must Be of High Quality-Not High Quantity.

Abstract

The use of platelet-rich plasma in knee osteoarthritis is still controversial, and meta-analysis shows that platelet-rich plasma can be effective and safe for nonoperative management of knee osteoarthritis. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are essential tools for evaluating the effectiveness and safety of new therapeutic interventions. Meta-analysis of these RCTs is critical to try to approximate the truth but also reminds us that sometimes, value does not necessarily derive from quantity but rather from quality. Given the fact that approximately 92.8% of published abstracts of RCTs report at least 1 significant outcome (indicated as at least P < .05), there is a notion that significant outcomes are most likely to become published, suggesting a potential publication bias. Therefore, additional studies repeating the significant outcomes are sometimes necessary.