ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Minerva Ortopedica e Traumatologica 2006 June;57(3):105-11

Copyright © 2006 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Comparison of efficacy and therapeutic safety of two treatments based on hyaluronic acid (Go-On and Hyalgan) in knee osteoarthritis

Arensi F.

San Siro Clinical Institute, Milan

Aim. To compare the efficacy and therapeutic safety of two formulations of hyaluronic acid, in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Methods. In this controlled, randomized, parallel-group study, 40 patients (30 females, 10 males, mean age 64 years), with diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and pain severity over 20 mm on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), were assigned by randomization to one of the two study formulations of hyaluronic acid, Go-On (Go) and Hyalgan (Hy). The patients were treated with two intra-articular injections every week for 5 weeks with 3 months of follow-up. Symptoms and function parameters were assessed weekly until the fifth week and at 3 months of follow-up. At the end of the treatment, the physician’s and the patient’s overall evaluations were recorded.
Results. Pain, articular stiffness and joint function, as WOMAC index subscales, Lequesne index and general health state improved with both treatments and showed no statistically significant difference between formulations. Treatment tolerability was excellent. The physician’s evaluation on treatment efficacy was good in 55% of patients with both treatments as well as patient’s evaluation on acceptability was good in 55% of patients treated with Go and in 50% of patients treated with Hy.
Conclusion. It may be stated that the two formulations of hyaluronic acid employed in the treatment of knee OA exhibit a totally overlapping efficacy and therapeutic safety.