Abstract
Background: A BMI > 25 is the most decisive, albeit modifiable, risk factor for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). This study aimed at assessing the efficacy of intra-articular injections of hybrid hyaluronic acid (HA) complexes (Sinovial® H-L) for the treatment of KOA in overweight patients in terms of disease severity, cardiocirculatory capacity, and quality of life. Materials: In this single-site, open-label, prospective trial, 37 patients with symptomatic knee OA were assessed at baseline and 3 months after ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection of hybrid HA complexes (Sinovial® H-L). Results: Primary variables displaying a statistically significant improvement after treatment were pain (VAS), disease severity (WOMAC), and cardiopulmonary capacity (6 min walk test). Among secondary variables, quality of life (SF-12) improved significantly, as did analgesic intake for pain control. No statistically significant difference was observed in body fat and muscle mass percentage measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Conclusions: Intra-articular hybrid HA injections are significantly effective in improving OA-related disease severity, cardiopulmonary function, and analgesic intake. This supports the role of hybrid HA viscosupplementation as a nonpharmacological treatment to relieve pain, reduce disability, improve quality of life, and limit the risk of polypharmacy in overweight patients with knee OA.
Highlights
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a highly prevalent clinical syndrome of joint pain accompanied by a varying degree of functional limitation and decreased quality of life
III and IV knee osteoarthritis according to the Kellgren–Lawrence classification, as several studies have shown that viscosupplementation performed in the early stages shows a better chondroprotective effect [23,24]
The study was conducted according to the ethical guidelines of the Helsinki declaration; information and data were handled in accordance with the Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines
Summary
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a highly prevalent clinical syndrome of joint pain accompanied by a varying degree of functional limitation and decreased quality of life. Joint malalignment and instability resulting in increased mechanical stress, repetitive actions such as kneeling and heavy lifting, and professional sports activities such as long-distance running are all strong risk factors for knee OA [1,3,4]. In this regard, Bullock considers sports accidents an important risk factor for the development of post-osteoarthritis trauma, resulting from an alteration of normal biomechanics resulting in the impact of dynamic cartilage loads along lines of non-physiological pressure and a higher level of disability [5,6]
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