Prospective randomized study comparing the medicoeconomic benefits of Hylan GF-20 vs. conventional treatment in knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objectives. – In a previous study, we determined the costs over 6 months to the French public health insurance system of Hylan GF-20 (Synvisc ®) in 66 patients with knee osteoarthritis. Here, we compared the medicoeconomic benefits over 9 months in 506 patients given Hylan GF-20 or conventional treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Patients and methods. – This prospective randomized study was conducted from October 1998 to February 2000. Clinical status was evaluated using the Lequesne index, the WOMAC index, and the SF12 quality-of-life questionnaire. Medical and sick leave costs to the public health insurance system were determined. Results. – Effectiveness criteria were evaluable in all 506 patients. Significant clinical improvements were noted from the first month to the end of the 9-month study period in the Synvisc ® group. A mean 2-point difference in the Lequesne index area-under-the-curve was found in favor of Synvisc ® ( P < 0.0001). Mean medical and sick leave costs per patient over 9 months were €829.10 in the Synvisc ® group and €829.40 in the conventional treatment group. Conclusion. – This study carried out over 9 months in a large population confirms that Synvisc ® viscosupplementation is more effective than conventional treatment, at no additional cost. It takes a step toward answering the request of international experts for medicoeconomic data on viscosupplementation for osteoarthritis.