Safety and efficacy of intra-articular (IA) sodium hyaluronate (MW 1500-2000 KDa; Hyalubrix®) in the treatment of synovial joint OA

A prospective observational study of the clinical efficacy and safety of intra-articular sodium hyaluronate in synovial joints with osteoarthritis.

Article specifications

This study was published in 2011 in Journal of Eur J Phys Rehabil Med (IF 2011: 1.48) by Italian specialists. This study investigated the safety and efficacy of intra-articular (IA) sodium hyaluronate (MW 1500-2000 KDa; Hyalubrix^®) in the treatment of synovial joint OA. This study was carried out at 47 specialist centers for physiatrists, orthopedics and rheumatology in Italy; the enrolled population, 1266 outpatient, was predominantly female (66%, 840/1266), with a mean age of 66 years, and a mean weight of 74 kg.

 

Results

In summary, this study has demonstrated that IA injections of sodium hyaluronate (MW 1500-2000 KDa; Hyalubrix^®) are safe and well tolerated. The study treatment reduced pain, improved mobility, and increased QoL in participants with OA. In addition, the study treatment was rated highly by physicians and participants alike. Considering both the efficacy and safety outcomes of this study, together with the body of evidence in the literature, particularly the association of chemically modified HA (but not naturally derived HA) treatment with SAIR, these findings indicate that patients should be fully counselled on the anticipated risks and benefits of the various hyaluronan products when considering treatment options for synovial joints affected by OA.