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Intra-articular 2.5% polyacrylamide hydrogel for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: an observational proof-of-concept cohort study

1, 2, 3, 4

 

  1. The Parker Institute, and Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Denmark. marius.henriksen@regionh.dk
  2. The Parker Institute, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Denmark.
  3. A2 Rheumatology and Sports Medicine, Hillerød, Denmark.
  4. The Parker Institute, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Denmark.

CER11079
2018 Vol.36, N°6
PI 1082, PF 1085
Brief Papers

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PMID: 30148430 [PubMed]

Received: 04/01/2018
Accepted : 19/03/2018
In Press: 18/07/2018
Published: 06/12/2018

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
There is a drought of effective treatments of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and new therapies are needed. The present study has been conducted to establish an initial estimate of effectiveness of intra-articular (IA) injection of a proprietary 2.5% cross-linked polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG) for the treatment of knee OA symptoms and signs.
METHODS:
Patients with knee OA were invited into a prospective open-label cohort study. The patients received up to two IA injections of 3 ml of PAAG 1 month apart. The WOMAC questionnaire was used to estimate effectiveness, and was collected at baseline and after 4, 7 and 13 months. Primary outcome was change from baseline for the WOMAC pain subscale after 4 months (Normalised to 0-100 points; 100 worst). Data was analysed using a mixed-effect model without imputation of missing data.
RESULTS:
84 patients (48 females) received IA PAAG. Of these WOMAC data were available from 62 after 4 months, 59 after 7 months, and 56 after 13 months. There were statistically and clinically significant reductions in WOMAC pain after 4 months (mean change -14.6 points [95% CI: -18.9 to -10.2]; p<.0001). Similar results were found in WOMAC stiffness, physical function, and WOMAC total. The improvement was sustained throughout the observation period.
CONCLUSIONS:
These results suggest beneficial effects of IA injection of PAAG on knee OA symptoms, even in the long term (1 year). This initial estimation of effectiveness is promising but needs to be confirmed in a randomised study with adequate measures taken to reduce risk of bias.

Rheumatology Article