The efficacy and safety of intra-articular application of a combination of sodium hyaluronate and chondroitin sulfate for osteoarthritis of the knee: a multicenter prospective study

in 3 mL on patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) in a multicenter prospective study.

Materials and methods. 79 outpatients (predominantly females – 81.0%) from 5 RF constituent territories with primary tibiofemoral Kellgren–Lawrence score grade II or III knee OA, ≤40 mm pain intensity during walking on visual analogue scale (VAS), requiring NSAIDs intake (for at least 30 days during 3 months prior to enrollment) were included into the study after signing the informed consent form. Mean age was 60.3±8.7 years, mean BMI – 29.2±4.7 kg/m², disease duration – 6 (3–10) years. Grade II OA was documented in 68.4% of patients, Grade III – in 31.6%. The study lasted for 6 months. Efficacy and safety evaluations were made based on VAS pain assessment, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) – [WOMAC pain (0–500), WOMAC function (0–1700), WOMAC stiffness (0–200)], VAS patients’ health status, EQ-5D-based assessment of patients’ quality of life, global physician’s and patient’s efficacy assessment, and daily NSAIDs requirements.

Results. Obtained results demonstrate statistically significant VAS pain reduction during walking already in 1 week after intra-articular injection of the combination [respectively, 62 (55–72) and 41 (32–51) mm, р<0.0001]. Moreover, pain continued to subside during all 3 months of follow up [in 1 month – 28 (20–42), in 3 month – 22 (14–37) mm]. A significant pan reduction achieved at Mo 3 persisted until Mo 6 – 20 (14–42) mm, without documented pain increase. Similar trends were observed with total WOMAC score [1125 (899–1540) – at baseline, and 552 (309–837) mm – by the end of the study, p<0.0001], and all WOMAC sub-scores [268 (189–312) – baseline WOMAC pain, 91 (48–171) mm – by the end of the study p<0.0001; stiffness – 101 (59–130) and 40 (20–61) mm, p<0.0001; function – 802 (647–1095) and 402 (191–638) mm, p<0.0001, respectively]. Median time to the onset of therapeutic effect was 7 (5–18) days. Statistically significant improvement of patients’ quality of life by EQ-5D and general health status was observed during all follow up period [respectively, 0.52 (-0.02–0.59) and 0.69 (0.59–0.80), р<0.0001; 48 (30–60) and 72 (60–80) mm, р<0.0001]. One injection of the drug resulted in dose reduction or discontinuation of NSAIDs therapy: at baseline 76 patients (96.2%) were taking NSAIDs, in one week 31 (39.2%) patients discontinued NSAIDs, in 1 month – 72.2%, in 3 months – 73.4%, and by the end of the study at Mo 6 – 54.4% were not taking NSAIDs. These data were consistent with physician’s and patient’s global assessment of the efficacy of treatment, who stated “significant improvement” and “improvement” in the majority of cases, with only few “no effect” or “worsening” cases documented in analyzed population. Adverse events, such as worsening of pain and/or swelling of the joint, were documented in 8 patients (10.1%); they resolved spontaneously or following NSAIDs intake.

Conclusion. These results suggest that intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid plus chondroitin sulfate in patients with knee OA are efficient and safe. A single injection of the drug resulted in statistically significant reduction of pain and stiffness, reduction in NSAIDs intake, as well as improvement in patients’ quality of life and function.