Andrea Alimonti

Comparative, double-blind, controlled study of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (Hyalubrix®) injections versus local anesthetic in osteoarthritis of the hip

IntroductionComparison of intra-articular bacterial-derived hyaluronic acid (Hyalubrix®) (HA) with local analgesia (mepivacaine) for osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip.MethodsA pilot prospective, double-blind, 6-month randomized trial of 42 patients with hip OA. HA or mepivacaine was administered twice (once a month) under ultrasound guidance. Efficacy measurements included the Lequesnes algofunctional index, a visual analog scale for pain, concomitant use of analgesia, patient and physician global measurement, and safety.ResultsPatients in the HA group exhibited a significantly reduced Lequesnes algofunctional index 3 and 6 months after treatment (P < 0.001) and significantly reduced visual analog scale pain scores 3 and 6 months after treatment (P < 0.05) compared with the local anesthetic group. All primary and secondary measures were significantly improved versus baseline, but other than the above were not different from each other at 3 or 6 months. Adverse effects were minimal.ConclusionsThis comparative study suggests a beneficial effect and safety of intra-articular HA in the management of hip OA.Trial registration numberISRCTN39397064.

Viscosupplementation in the management of ankle osteoarthritis: a review

IntroductionOsteoarthritis (OA) is a disease of synovial joints and is the most common cause of chronic pain. Viscosupplementation (VS) with hyaluronic acid (HA) is largely used for knee osteoarthritis therapy but the evidence for its usefulness in ankle osteoarthritis is limited. The objective of this review is to assess the efficacy of viscosupplementation treatment of ankle osteoarthritis in the current literature.MethodsThe following databases were searched: Medline (period 2006–2008), Database of Abstract on Reviews and Effectiveness and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Reference lists of relevant articles were controlled for additional references. The search terms Review, Viscosupplementation (VS), Osteoarthritis (OA), Hyaluronic acid (HA), Hyaluronan, Sodium hyaluronate, Ankle OA, Ankle joint were used to identify all studies relating to the use of VS therapy for the ankle OA. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed by assigning level of evidence as previously defined by the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine (CEBM).ResultSeven articles concerning the efficacy of a total of 275 patients undergoing VS treatment for ankle OA were included. One European study, one Taiwanese study, one Italian study, one Turkish study and three American studies with level of evidence ranging from I to IV evaluated the following products: Hyalgan®, Synvisc®, Supartz®, Adant®.ConclusionViscosupplementation is used widely in knee OA and is included in the professional guidelines for treatment of the disease in this joint. The potential for treating osteoarthritis of the ankle joint by viscosupplementation has been suggested in the literature, however, no dosing studies have been published to date, and dosing in the ankle joint remains an area for discussion. Viscosupplementation could potentially provide an useful alternative in treating such patients with painful ankle OA.

Intra-articular administration of hylan G-F 20 in patients with symptomatic hip osteoarthritis: tolerability and effectiveness in a large cohort study in clinical practice.

ABSTRACT Objective: This prospective, observational, open study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of hylan G-F 20 in a large cohort of patients with symptomatic hip osteoarthritis (OA), and identify predictors of clinical response. Research design and methods: Patients presenting with symptomatic hip OA received one 2 mL intra-articular (IA) injection of hylan G-F 20 under ultrasound guidance. Patients were followed-up every 3 months for a total of 12 months and were offered an optional, additional injection at each follow-up visit if symptomatically justified. At each visit, pain scores (100 mm visual analogue scale [VAS]), Lequesne index scores, NSAID intake, and physician and patient global assessments scores were recorded. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded throughout the study. Main outcome measures; results: 250 patients completed the 12 month follow-up and received a total of 734 injections. Statistically significant reductions in VAS pain scores, Lequesne index scores and NSAID usage were reported at all time-points ( p < 0.05). No systemic, serious or severe side effects were observed. Fifty-two local AEs were reported (7.08% per injection) all of which were mild and transient. One predictor of clinical response was identified, with patients < 75 years of age reporting better outcomes. Conclusions: This study supports the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of hylan G-F 20 in the treatment of symptomatic hip OA. Hylan G-F 20 may also offer economic benefits due to a reduction in NSAID usage and the resultant reduction in management costs of NSAID related side-effects. These data reflect those obtained in previous studies of hylan G-F 20 in patients with knee OA.