1. Multicenter study of hyaluronic acid obtained by biotechnology to evaluate clinical efficacy and safety in knee osteoarthritis
- Author
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A C, Novaes, P, Schaiquevich, and G, Nasswetter
- Subjects
Male ,Viscosity ,Pain ,Recovery of Function ,Middle Aged ,Osteoarthritis, Knee ,Drug Administration Schedule ,Injections, Intra-Articular ,Molecular Weight ,Latin America ,Treatment Outcome ,Humans ,Female ,Hyaluronic Acid ,Biotechnology - Abstract
Viscosuppplementation with intra-articular hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan [HA]) is a relatively new option for improving pain and articular function in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. An open multi-center study was performed in 365 patients with definite and symptomatic knee osteoarthritis from seven Latin American countries. Five doses of HA were administered once a week. The parameters studied were pain (six items), stiffness (two items) and functional capacity (17 items). The parameters were evaluated 1 week after the corresponding injection. Statistical differences were found when basal determinations of the three parameters were compared with the results of the first and fourth administration (p0.05). Intra-articular HA administration was well tolerated. Treatment-related nonserious adverse events were registered in 2.5% of administrations. Based on the results obtained, HA is a useful and well-tolerated symptomatic treatment for knee osteoarthritis with a rapid onset of action.
- Published
- 2005